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Blood transfusion demands in a tertiary Otolaryngology, Head and Neck centre: A 5-year retrospective cohort study
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  • Louis Luke,
  • Charindu Ranmuthu,
  • Chanuka Ranmuthu,
  • Amir Habeeb,
  • Jithesh Appukutty,
  • Ekpemi Irune
Louis Luke
Addenbrooke's Hospital

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Charindu Ranmuthu
University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine
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Chanuka Ranmuthu
University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine
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Amir Habeeb
Addenbrooke's Hospital
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Jithesh Appukutty
Addenbrooke's Hospital
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Ekpemi Irune
Addenbrooke's Hospital
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Abstract

Objectives: To analyse and report the utilisation of Red Blood Cell (RBC) transfusion in a tertiary Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Centre. Design: Retrospective cohort review. Setting: Large tertiary care centre in England. Participants: All in-patients (n = 89) admitted primarily under the care of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck service between January 2015 and December 2019 that required RBC transfusion. Main Outcome Measures: Number of units of Red Blood Cell transfused over 5 years and distribution across clinical indications. Cost of RBC transfusions over the same time period. Results: Most patients receiving transfusions are aged in their 6th and 7th decades. Epistaxis patients utilised 105 RBC units over the 5 years with 78 % being for emergency epistaxis. Post-operative Head & Neck Cancer surgery with reconstruction required 32 RBC units over 5 years in 12 patients. The cost incurred by the department has fallen by over £2000 over the 5 year period. Conclusions: Blood transfusion use has fallen over the last five years. Epistaxis and post-operative Head and Neck cancer cases account for significant use compared with other patient groups. Prehabilitation strategies will add value towards mitigating future consumption of RBC.
05 Oct 2021Published in Transfusion Medicine. 10.1111/tme.12822