ArticleAfrican journal of emergency medicine : Revue africaine de la medecine d'urgence2019
Utilisation of emergency blood in a cohort of South African emergency centres with no direct access to a blood bank.
Article in African journal of emergency medicine : Revue africaine de la medecine d'urgence, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Facilitators and barriers to blood and blood product accessibility and use in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.Frontiers in health services · 2026Pooled it
- Red blood cell transfusion in a tertiary Haitian hospital's emergency department: patient characteristics and availability challenges.International journal of emergency medicine · 2024Article
- Damage Control Laparotomy: High-Volume Centers Display Similar Mortality Rates Despite Differences in Country Income Level.World journal of surgery · 2020Article
- Guest Editorial: Introduction to the Trauma Special Issue.African journal of emergency medicine : Revue africaine de la medecine d'urgence · 2019Article
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
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Abstract
introductionThe transfusion of emergency blood is an essential part of haemostatic resuscitation. Locally, where direct access to a blood bank is limited, emergency blood is stored within emergency centres. It was previously suggested that stored blood provides inadequate volumes compared to what is needed. Minimal data are available regarding indications for emergency blood usage. We aimed to describe the utilisation of emergency blood in selected Cape Town emergency centres. MATERIALS AND
methodsA cross-sectional study was carried out at three secondary level emergency centres (no blood bank), and one tertiary centre (with a blood bank). Data from emergency blood recipients were recorded over a three-month study period. Indications for transfusion, number of units and location of transfusion were recorded. Indications and usage location were described in numbers and proportions.
resultsA total of 329 emergency blood units were transfused to 210 patients. Trauma accounted for 39% (n = 81) of cases and other surgical conditions for 22% (n = 47), particularly upper gastrointestinal 11% (n = 24) and perioperative bleeding 8% (n = 16). Medical conditions accounted for 15% (n = 31), with anaemia 13% (n = 27), the most prevalent indication. Gynaecological conditions accounted for 15% (n = 32), mostly ectopic pregnancy 8% (n = 17). The majority of emergency blood, 77% (n = 253) were used in the emergency centres or operating theatres, 6% (n = 21).
conclusionTrauma remains a major indication for emergency blood transfusion in this setting. This study questions the use of emergency blood for certain non-urgent diagnoses (i.e. anaemia). Given the scarcity of this resource and limitations to access, appropriate use of emergency blood needs to be better defined locally. Ongoing monitoring of the indications for which emergency blood is used, improved transfusion stewardship and better systems to access emergency blood should be a priority in this setting.
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