Background: Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) has been used for management of various clinical disorders. Main indications are clotting factor deficiency, plasma exchange and reversal of warfarin. It is now evident that that most of the time this blood product is being used inappropriately and without any scientific rationale. It must be remembered that it is associated with potential risks to the recipient. Inappropriate use not only leads to a wastage of limited resources depriving more needy patients, but also leads to an increased healthcare cost and increased risk of transfusion related complications.

Aims: To determine the indications of FFP transfusions and to assess the practices according to the guidelines proposed by British committee of standards in Haematology (BCSH).

Methods: This audit was planned according to the BCSH guidelines for the FFP usage. Retrospective review of transfusion request forms and patients charts from October 2019 to December 2019. Patients demographics, indications and laboratory record was retrieved from LIMS system and was recorded.

Results: During the study period the total number of ffps arrangred were 259 and then 150 were transfused to 55 patients. The age range from 4 days to 65 years with male predominance. Majority of the request received from NICU (71.9%) followed by general ICU(19.2%) and then different wards (8.9%). Weight based dose (15ml/kg) was followed in all pediatric patients whereas only 4 adult patients received proper dose of ffp. 02 patients had no prior record of coagulation screening. Majority of patients received ffp for correction of INR (65%). Transfusion reactions were not observed in these patients.

Conclusions: FFP transfusions were not justified in majority of patients, showing poor compliance with the guidelines.

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ISTH Congress Abstracts - https://abstracts.isth.org/abstract/an-audit-of-fresh-frozen-plasma-transfusions-justified-or-not/