Monitoring blood transfusion in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting: an audit methodology

Background and Objectives The purpose of this work was to describe the methodology used to build a transfusion database that allows continuous audit of transfusion practices in coronary artery bypass surgery. Materials and Methods The transfusion database requires electronic data available from two sources: the hospital's patient administration system; and the local blood transfusion service. Results We demonstrated a reduction in the percentage of patients receiving red blood cell transfusion: from 47.4% in 1997/1998 to 31.6% in 2001/2002 (P < 0.001). Reductions have also been shown in the percentage of patients receiving fresh-frozen plasma and platelet units. Conclusions The data sourcing the transfusion database should be available to all hospitals through their patient administration systems and local blood transfusion service. Its use can help to reduce transfusion rates significantly.