Sepsis can affect various organs as well as the hematologic system. Systemic dysregulation, present in sepsis, affects particularly red blood cells (RBCs). One of the widely available RBC indices is RBC distribution width (RDW). Sepsis may also affect hemostasis, with septic patients presenting with coagulopathy or disseminated intravascular coagulation. The aim of our study was to analyze the impact of sepsis on RBC indices and coagulation parameters on admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and their association with presence of sepsis and sepsis outcomes in anemic critically ill patients. We performed a retrospective observational study covering consecutive patients admitted to a 10-bed mixed ICU in the years 2020–2021. We found significant differences between septic and non-septic patients for the following parameters: RDW (p = 0.02), INR (p < 0.01), aPTT (p < 0.01), D-dimers (p < 0.01), fibrinogen (p = 0.02), platelets (p = 0.04). International normalized ratio was the only parameter with adequate sepsis predictive value (AUROC = 0.70; 95% CI 0.63–0.76; p < 0.01), with an optimal cut-off value of >1.21. Combination of INR with fibrinogen and a severity of disease score improved INR’s predictive value (AUROC 0.74–0.77). Combination of INR with a severity of disease score was an adequate ICU mortality predictor in septic patients (AUROC 0.70–0.75). Sepsis significantly affects RDW and most coagulation parameters. Increased INR can be used for sepsis screening, whereas combination of INR with a severity of disease score can be a predictor of short-term mortality in septic patients.

Hospital-acquired anemia (HAA) is prevalent in patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU). Iatrogenic blood loss (IBL) may aggravate existing anemia or lead to a need for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. The aim of our study was to analyze hemoglobin (Hb) concentration changes in up to 14 days, as well as all potential sources of IBL, in consecutive patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in the years 2020–2021. Patients admitted due to bleeding were excluded. Anemia on admission was present in 218 (58.8%) patients—47 (48.9%) surgical and 171 (62.2%) non-surgical (p = 0.02). Gradual decrease in Hb was seen in all ICU patients. Eighty-one (21.8%) patients required RBC transfusion. The first unit of RBC was transfused on day 7 (IQR 2–13) and the second on day 11 (IQR 4–15) of ICU hospitalization. The median admission Hb in patients who required RBC transfusion was 10.2 (IQR 8.5–11.8) and, in those who did not require transfusion, it was 12.0 (IQR 10.2–13.6) g/dL (p < 0.01). Anemia on admission was associated with a need for RBC transfusion (p < 0.01). Average decrease in Hb during the first week of ICU hospitalization in patients with and without anemia on admission was 1.2 (IQR 0.2–2.3) and 2.8 (IQR 1.1–3.8) g/dL (p < 0.01), respectively. Percentage of patients who bled at the insertion site of invasive devices was as follows: percutaneous tracheostomy—46.7%, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) catheter—23.8%, dialysis catheter—13.3%, gastrostomy—9.5%, central venous catheter—7.8%. Moreover, circuit clotting occurred in 17.7 and 9.5% of patients undergoing dialysis and TPE, respectively. Median blood loss for repeated laboratory testing in our study population was 13.7 (IQR 9.9–19.3) mL per patient daily. Anemia is highly prevalent among medical and surgical patients on admission to ICU and is associated with RBC transfusion. Patients who required RBC transfusion had significantly lower daily Hb concentrations. Severity of disease did not seem to have impact on Hb concentration. IBL associated with invasive devices and extracorporeal therapies is frequent in ICU patients and may lead to a gradual decrease in Hb concentration. Further studies are required to analyze causes of HAA in the ICU.

In hemodynamically stable patients, both anemia and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion may be detrimental to patients; hence, a decision regarding RBC transfusion should be based on thorough risk–benefit assessment. According to hematology and transfusion medicine organizations, RBC transfusion is indicated when recommended hemoglobin (Hb) triggers are met, and symptoms of anemia are present. The aim of our study was to examine the appropriateness of RBC transfusions in non-bleeding patients at our institution. We performed a retrospective analysis of all RBC transfusions performed between January 2022 and July 2022. The appropriateness of RBC transfusion was based on the most recent Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB) guidelines and some additional criteria. The overall incidence of RBC transfusions at our institution was 10.2 per 1000 patient-days. There were 216 (26.1%) RBC units appropriately transfused and 612 (73.9%) RBC units that were transfused with no clear indications. The incidence of appropriate and inappropriate RBC transfusions were 2.6 and 7.5 per 1000 patient-days, respectively. The most frequent clinical situations when RBC transfusion was classified as appropriate were: Hb < 70 g/L plus cognitive problems/headache/dizziness (10.1%), Hb < 60 g/L (5.4%), and Hb < 70 g/L plus dyspnea despite oxygen therapy (4.3%). The most frequent causes of inappropriate RBC transfusions were: no Hb determination pre-RBC transfusion (n = 317) and, among these, RBC transfused as a second unit in a single-transfusion episode (n = 260); absence of anemia sings/symptoms pre-transfusion (n = 179); and Hb concentration ≥80 g/L (n = 80). Although the incidence of RBC transfusions in non-bleeding inpatients in our study was generally low, the majority of RBC transfusions were performed outside recommended indications. Red blood cell transfusions were evaluated as inappropriate mainly due to multiple-unit transfusion episodes, absence of anemia signs and/or symptoms pre- transfusion, and liberal transfusion triggers. There is still the need to educate physicians on appropriate indications for RBC transfusion in non-bleeding patients.