Table 3.
Variation in Transfusion Practice Across Centers
| Site | PRBC Transfusion Volume (median in mL/kg [IQR]) | PRBC Transfusion Events Median (IQR) | PRBC Donor Exposures Median (IQR) | Pretransfusion Hemoglobin (Median in mg/dL [IQR]) | Pretransfusion Hematocrit (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 29.8 (15.2, 49.4) | 2 (1, 3) | 2 (1, 3) | 12.8 (11.9, 13.7) | 37.9 (35.6, 40.1) |
| 1 | 25.6 (16.4, 42.9) | 1 (1, 2) | 1 (1, 2) | 12.8 (12, 13.5) | 38 (35.3, 40) |
| 2 | 41.6 (16.4, 42.9) | 3 (2, 5) | 2 (1, 3) | 13 (12, 13.9) | 38.1 (35.9, 39.9) |
| 3 | 35.7 (30.9, 101.9) | 3 (3, 8) | 1 (1, 3) | 12.5 (11.6, 13.3) | 38 (35, 40) |
| 4 | 37.9 (25.2, 59.3) | 3 (2, 4) | 2 (2, 3) | 13 (12.1, 14) | 38.4 (35.7, 41.2) |
| 5 | 32.6 (19.7, 56.1) | 2 (1, 3) | 2 (1, 3) | 12.1 (11.6, 13) | 37.1 (35.6, 40) |
| 6 | 9.4 (0, 14) | 1 (0, 1) | Data not available | 12.4 (11.6, 13.3) | 37 (34, 39.5) |
| P value | <0.0001 | <0.0001 | <0.0001 | 0.0049 | 0.054 |
Packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion volume, events, and donor exposures varied significantly between centers whereas pretransfusion hemoglobin and hematocrit were more uniform. IQR indicates interquartile range.