Blood Transfusion in the Obstetric Department, as Observed by a Division of the Blood Transfusion Service

We report the current state of blood transfusion in the Obstetric Department at Saitama Medical Center from the blood transfusion service division's viewpoint. Saitama Medical Center hospital has 913 beds and 92 total beds in its integrated perinatal medical center (46 obstetric departments). Through January 2005 to August 2009, they used 2,312 units of red cell components (313 cases), 4,593 units of fresh frozen plasma (220 cases), and 1,725 units of a platelet concentrate (81 cases) at the Obstetric Department. In 24 cases, more than 20 units of red cell components were transfused to each patient. Fourteen cases in 24 massive transfusion cases required urgent transfusion without the crossmatch test. It took an average of 5 minutes and 26 seconds for preparation. The blood transfusion service should be straightening the system that can correspond to urgent, numerous transfusions at any time, although a change is feared in the blood supply situation due to consolidation of the blood center.