Audit of Platelets Usage among Patients: A Descriptive Study of Various Platelet Concentrates

Background: Transfusion services are aimed to provide only those components which patients require and keep the rest for others. Platelet transfusion is critical due to lack of alternative; and therefore should be used rationally.

Aim: To elucidate the rational use of different platelet concentrates, its comparative efficacy in thrombocytopenia patients at our tertiary care hospital.

Materials and Methods: This prospective cross-sectional two-year study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital in India. Relevant clinical findings, pre/post transfusion platelet count along with complete haemogram and diagnosis of patients were considered in compiling the data. Quality of Platelet was maintained as per the standard protocol of American Association of Blood Bank (AABB).

Results: Total 4157 units of platelet concentrates from recruited donors were prepared, where 3483 (83.97%) units were utilized and 674 (16.21%) were unfit for transfusion. 3483 fit Platelet concentrates were transfused to 1225 patients. Out of 3483 transfusions, 1080(31%) were therapeutic and 2403(69%) were prophylactic. In the study 3104 Random Donor Platelet (RDP) and 379 Single Donor Platelets (SDP) were transfused to 978 and 247 patients respectively. Mean absolute increase in platelet count was 4.8x109/L (SD= 2.9x109/L) for RDP and for SDP it was 33.2x109/L (SD=6.0x109/L). Out of 3483 platelets transfusion, about 80% were found to be rational according to British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH) criteria.

Conclusion: A healthy rationality of 80% was observed in the present study. Platelet concentrates should be used rationally and scientifically as per proven criteria because it has no alternative.