Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

Doctors against transfusion of whole blood

Hyderabad: Blood is the very lifeline, but how rationally it is being used during transfusion? Not very sensibly – at least in government hospitals. This question has gained importance especially with dengue fever assuming epidemic proportions in several parts of the State.

Patients affected by this disease suffer depletion of platelets, a major component of blood. When the demand for platelets has gone up, the improper usage of blood is a cause for concern.

In most of the government hospitals, patients requiring blood transfusion are given the whole blood and not the particular component needed.

The donated blood can be separated into its components – red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets.

This enables usage of a donor’s blood to meet the requirements of different patients. But transfusion of whole blood in most cases is leading to its wastage, it is said.

In case of dengue, many patients need platelet transfusion when its level drops below 20,000 counts or there is significant bleeding. As a result the demand for platelets has gone up requiring its rushing to remote areas from Hyderabad.

The other day 52 units of platelets were rushed late in the night from the city to Karimangar and transferred to 11 patients.

Chief Minister K. Rosaiah has called on blood banks to generate enough platelets. In this scenario, many feel, the use of whole blood should be discouraged. Patients should, instead, be treated with specific component of blood.

The A.P. State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) is also of the view that there is a ‘wastage’ of blood. It has planned to launch a campaign for its efficient and optimal usage.

“There is poor understanding about the importance of blood components in government doctors. We plan to create awareness”, said R.V. Chandravadan, director, APSACS.

A doctor in Apollo Hospitals, Lavanya, also concurs that there is no rationale usage of blood in hospitals at district and taluq levels. However, in corporate hospitals, the components are separated and patients administered what is required.

M. N. Kishore, Joint Director, Blood Safety and Quality Assurance, says the practice has been to give whole blood unless there is a request from the treating physician for a specific component.

At present, there are 18 Blood Component Separator Units (BCSU) in government hospitals. Five more units costing Rs. 40 lakh each have arrived from National AIDS Control Organisation.

They will be installed in the government hospitals at Anantapur, Kurnool, Nellore and Kakinada.

The Government Hospital in Karimnagar and the MGM Hospital, Warangal, will have their own BCSUs functioning shortly.

“They will also cater to the needs of neighbouring districts,” Dr. Kishore said.

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