Blood transfusion costs: a multicenter study

Abstract

The cost of delivering a unit of blood (whole blood or red cells) to a hospitalized patient was examined in 19 United States teaching hospitals. The average hospital acquisition cost was calculated by using the prices charged by regional blood centers for blood products. To this cost was added an estimate of costs incurred by hospitals for handling, testing, and administering blood. Across study sites, the average hospital cost per unit transfused was $155 and the average charge to the patient was $219. Acquisition cost, the price that hospitals pay for blood, was 37 percent of the total cost to the hospital; the other 63 percent of the hospital cost included costs for blood bank handling (13%), laboratory tests (43%), and blood administration (7%). Significant variations in blood transfusion cost were found within our sample. Most of the variability can be attributed to geographic location of the blood supply source, type of red cell product transfused, prices charged by blood transfusion services, and the frequency of laboratory tests. The results of this transfusion cost study may be helpful in determining the costs of health care delivery, especially when blood transfusions are indicated.

Meta-analysis of laparoscopic and open distal gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma

“…Furthermore, the blood transfusion economics has not been addressed in any of these studies. A multicentre study on blood transfusion cost performed in 1991 27 revealed the average hospital cost per unit transfused was $155 which would be far higher now. It is therefore evident from this meta-analysis that LADG have biological, immunological and economical benefits for the patient and the health care system by reducing peri-operative transfusion needs.…”

Platelet transfusions: Utilization and associated costs in a tertiary care hospital

“…A threshold of 10,000/l may be used in patients undergoing induction therapy for acute leukemia [27] or severely thrombocytopenic bone marrow transplant patients [13,31,32]. These efforts may result in cost savings and improved treatment for patients [33]. In addition, computer-assisted programs currently exist that allow tracking and analysis of blood component use to monitor the implementation of platelet transfusion recommendations [34].…”

Bleeding in TKA: posterior stabilized vs. cruciate retaining

“…Both, blood loss and transfusion of blood can jeopardize patient health via cardiovascular incidents, infection or allergic reactions [12] and add to significant costs to the health care system [13]. The reduction of perioperative blood loss and the reduction of transfusion requirements in primary TKA should be a clinical priority.…”