SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-To Transfuse or Not to Transfuse: Necessity of Blood Transfusion in Obstetric Care in Teritiary Hospital, a Quality Improvement Study

To Transfuse or Not to Transfuse: Necessity of Blood Transfusion in Obstetric Care in Teritiary Hospital, a Quality Improvement Study

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This cross-sectional study evaluated blood transfusion practices among obstetric patients at Southern Railway Headquarters Hospital, Chennai, over 18 months (December 2017 to May 2019). Among 2,375 women admitted for antenatal, intrapartum, or postpartum obstetric care, 57 required transfusion, giving an incidence of 2.4%.<br /><br />The average age of transfused patients was 27.1 years, and most were multigravida (57.9%). Transfusions were needed most often in the postpartum period (52.6%), followed by the antepartum period (36.8%) and intrapartum period (10.5%). The mean pre-transfusion hemoglobin was 8.93 g/dL, with most women (57.7%) having hemoglobin between 7 and 10 g/dL.<br /><br />The leading indication for transfusion was postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), accounting for 40.35% of cases, followed by anemia (36.84%). Other causes included antepartum hemorrhage, ectopic pregnancy, abortion, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, obstetric hysterectomy, DIC, gestational thrombocytopenia, and medical disorders complicating pregnancy. Among PPH cases, uterine atony was the most common cause, followed by genital tract trauma and retained products of conception.<br /><br />Most transfusions were emergency transfusions (73.68%), while 26.79% were elective. Packed red blood cells were the most commonly used blood product (63.16%), followed by whole blood, random donor platelets, and fresh frozen plasma. Post-transfusion hemoglobin improved to a mean of 9.85 g/dL.<br /><br />The study concludes that although transfusion need was relatively low, PPH and anemia were the main drivers. The authors recommend standardizing transfusion protocols and improving preventive care, including better nutritional support, to reduce avoidable transfusions in obstetric practice.

Asset Subtitle

Suma Harsha Kosuru

Meta Tag

Author List Divya Ramalingam, Kalyani Saidhandapani, Preethash I. Sundar, Suma Harsha Kosuru, Vignesh Shrikanth

Category Research

Concept Blood Transfusion

Concept Postpartum Hemorrhage

Concept Anemia

Concept Obstetric Admission

Concept Incidence

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Mountain Vista Medical Center

Presenting Author Suma Harsha Kosuru

Track Patient Safety

Keywords

obstetric transfusion

postpartum hemorrhage

anemia

packed red blood cells

pregnancy complications

blood transfusion practices

postpartum period

hemoglobin levels

emergency transfusion

obstetric patients

Blood Transfusion

Postpartum Hemorrhage

Anemia

Obstetric Admission

Incidence