• H L Corwin, K C Parsonnet, and A Gettinger.
• Critical Care Service, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
• Chest. 1995 Sep 1;108(3):767-71.

ObjectiveTo evaluate RBC transfusion practice in the ICU.DesignRetrospective chart review.SettingMultidisciplinary ICU in a tertiary care center.PatientsAll patients admitted to the ICU with a length of stay of greater than 1 week.ResultsA total of 23% of all patients admitted to the ICU had a length of stay of greater than 1 week (19.6 +/- 1.6 days). Of these patients, 85% received blood transfusions (9.5 +/- 0.8 U per patient). These transfusions were not solely a function of acute blood loss. Patients were transfused a constant 2 to 3 U/wk. Patients receiving blood transfusions were phlebotomized on average 61 to 70 mL per day. Phlebotomy accounted for 49% of the variation in amount of RBCs transfused. No indication for blood transfusion was identified for 29% of transfusion events. A low hematocrit (< 25%) was the only identifiable indication in an additional 19% of events. Almost one third of all RBCs transfused were without a clear transfusion indication.ConclusionThe long-term ICU population receive a large number of blood transfusions. Phlebotomy contributes significantly to these transfusions. There is no clear indication for a large number of the blood transfusions given. Many blood transfusions appear to be administered because of an arbitrary "transfusion trigger" rather than a physiologic need for blood. Blood conservation and adherence to transfusion guidelines could significantly reduce RBC transfusion in the ICU.

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