Recent attention concerning the adverse outcomes of blood transfusion has resulted in decreased blood product usage for nonemergency care. We hypothesized that there has also been a decrease in blood product use in the management of seriously injured adults.
A retrospective review of institutional database records was conducted at a regional trauma center for adults admitted during 1991, 1993, and 1995. Data was analyzed for trends in amount, type, and timing of blood product use.
A total of 1,738 patients were assessed, with 1,605 meeting inclusion. The three patient groups were similar, including injury severity (overall mean Injury Severity Score of 23.6), mechanism (88% blunt), and survival (87%). In 1991, 54% of the patients were transfused a total of 2,341 units of packed red blood cells (mean 4.67 units/pt treated) versus 42% of patients in 1995 (p