Background: The use of blood components seeks to achieve a therapeutic effect to solve transfusion needs. In cases where they are indicated inappropriately, transfusion has not only a negative effect on the patient’s life but also an increase in hospital stays.
Objective: To evaluate the appropriate use of blood components in the adult population of the services of the General Hospital of Zone No. 20.
Material and methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional, prospective study, non-probabilistic consecutive sampling, over 18 years of age, transfused during their hospital stay. Compared with national and international guidelines for the use of blood components, analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: 457 transfusions were included during May to October 2022, of which 62 transfusions (14%) presented inappropriate use. Erythrocyte concentrates are the most transfused, of which 50 transfusions were inappropriate. In the case of platelets (120 concentrates and 5 platelet apheresis) they were used appropriately, while fresh frozen plasma demonstrated inappropriate use in 12 transfusions.
Conclusions: Due to the significant inappropriate use of blood components in the Hospital, it is necessary to implement improvement strategies in the management of blood components with the purpose of reducing risks and costs in administration.
Keywords: Blood Transfusion; Transfusion Medicine; Transfusion of Blood Components.