A Study of the Discard Rate of Blood and Blood Products and their Management at Tertiary Care Centre

Introduction: Blood is an essential part of the human system. Transfusion of blood and component is an integral part of health care practices. As blood works as a boon for needy ones on discard and wastage of blood products should be minimized and the data of causes of the same should be analyzed. Material and methods The methodology involves data collection from primary sources and study of secondary sources (Research publication) followed by extensive data analysis. The data from the primary source was assimilated from hospital records and later redefined into usual data. A total of 5364 donations has taken place over 15 months, From April 2018 to June 2019 at our hospital. Data on transfusion and discard rate was assimilated from hospital records and evaluted. Results A total of 3320 units were collected in the first 12 months of the study period [April to march]. The mean discard rate of the first 12 months of the component was 15.5 %. Average discard rate of various components were noted as packed red blood cell (PRBC) - 8.3 %, fresh frozen plasma (FFP) -8.36 %, platelets concentrate (PC) -39.3 %and Cryoprecipitate ( CPP) -3.2 %. We have made multiple interventions in phased manners to reduce the discard rate, and the results of the last 3 months have shown a reduction in mean discard rate to 3 %. Conclusion Multiple interventions are necessary to reduce the discard rate. Internal audits should be followed for the assessment of the problem and the best possible management strategies. The judicious use of blood and components practice should be followed.