Trends in Whole Blood and Blood Component Utilization: A Multicenter Study from Two Tertiary Care Hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Efficient blood components utilization is essential for patient care and safety and resource optimization.

Objective: To analyze trends in blood and blood component practices in adult patients admitted to tertiary care hospitals in Lahore, in order to provide a pooled assessment of transfusion practices.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted using  six-month (May to October, 2025) transfusion records from two major tertiary care hospitals in Lahore. Data of 8,624 transfusion units was taken from Lahore General Hospital (LGH) and 10,445 from Jinnah Hospital (JHL), totaling 19,069 units. It included patient demographics, clinical indication, blood component used, and departments that ordered the transfusions. Data was analyzed using SPSS 26. 

Results: Males used 7,136 units, and females used 11,933 units, in ratio of 1:1.6. Around 37.2% units were issued to patients aged 21-30 years. The highest demand was from the Labor room / or Gynecology (24.4%) and Emergency departments (20.6%). Blood group distribution showed a predominance of B RhD+ (31.8%) followed by O RhD+ (30.1%). Most used components in order were Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs, 26.8%), Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP, 12.7%), Platelets (7.9%), and a combination of PRBC + FFP (3.5%). Whole blood utilization was 31.2%. Leading indications for transfusion were Labor/childbirth (16.9%) and anemia (16.3%). Multiple transfusions were more common in females than in males.

Conclusion: This study found that young adults, particularly females, were the primary recipients of transfusion. Obstetrics/Gynecology and Emergency departments requested the most transfusions. Whole blood and PRBCs were the most utilized units, underscoring the need to optimize component therapy and implement patient blood management strategies.