Prospective audit of cytomegalovirus-negative blood product utilization in haematology/oncology patients

Transfus Med. 1999 Sep;9(3):195-8. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-3148.1999.00198.x.

Abstract

The transfusion management of immunocompromised patients often requires special blood product use such as cytomegalovirus (CMV)-negative cellular products, which are more costly than standard blood products and occasionally in short supply. We audited the use of CMV-negative products in haematology/oncology patients to determine the appropriateness of their use. A concurrent-prospective audit was conducted of all orders for CMV-negative packed red blood cell (PRBC) and platelet products in 201 haematology/ oncology patients. Once CMV serostatus was determined, orders for inappropriate CMV-negative units were cancelled, and filled as CMV untested units. During the 21-month period of this audit, the rates of inappropriate transfusions decreased for PRBC from 73.2% to 14.3% (chi2 = 68.4, P<0.001) and for platelets from 68.1% to 10.6% (chi2 = 65.6, P<0.001). The median time to cancellation of inappropriate CMV-negative orders was 11 days. This audit resulted in estimated cost savings of $16500 over the 21-month duration. Inappropriate requests for scarce and expensive blood products are substantially reduced by concurrent-prospective auditing of transfusion practice, in a manner that is both simple and cost effective.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Blood / virology*
  • Blood Transfusion* / economics
  • Blood Transfusion* / statistics & numerical data
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Cytomegalovirus / immunology
  • Cytomegalovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Erythrocyte Transfusion / economics
  • Erythrocyte Transfusion / statistics & numerical data
  • Hematologic Diseases / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Medical Audit*
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Platelet Transfusion / economics
  • Platelet Transfusion / statistics & numerical data
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral