Blood utilisation studies

South Australian blood utilisation studies utilise linked hospital and pathology data from public hospitals across the state to provide a better understanding of South Australia’s blood usage.  This is turn supports the development of best practice programs and clinical supply planning needs for South Australia.

Data coverage – blood products

The database enables analysis of aggregate blood product use across the South Australian public health sector for all fresh products, including:

  • red cells
  • platelets
  • fresh frozen plasma
  • cryoprecipitate
  • cryo-depleted plasma

Database variables

Data can be analysed by demographic and clinical variables such as:

  • age and sex
  • Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs)
  • Specialty Related Groups (SRGs)
  • Major Diagnostic Categories (MDCs)
  • surgical procedures, such as:
    • cardiothoracic surgery – coronary artery bypass graft, valve and combined
    • colorectal – right and left sided procedures
    • orthopaedics – primary hip and knee arthroplasty, revision of hips and knees, fracture of neck of femur
    • others may be available on request
  • medical diagnoses, such as:
    • gastro-intestinal bleed
    • liver disease
    • haematology – malignancy, iron deficiency anaemia
  • others may be available on request.

Additional information also includes information on pre-operative anaemia rates.

Statistical variables

Key statistics available include:

  • transfusion rates
  • average units transfused
  • range of units transfused
  • proportion of single unit transfusions.

Database use

The database is available to monitor transfusion practices and support blood sector activities undertaken by public sector health services, transfusion committees, clinical networks and individual clinicians.

Contact

For more information on data availability and access, please contact Blood, Organ and Tissue Programs on (08) 8226 7254.