Development of a rational blood‐ordering policy for obstetrics and gynaecology

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Abstract
The relation between quantities of blood ordered to cover obstetrical and gynecological diagnoses and quantities actually used was studied over a period of 3 mo. in one Scottish hospital. It appeared that the amount of blood ordered as cover for many operative procedures and for patients under observation was, in many instances, uneconomic. On this basis, a maximum surgical blood-ordering schedule was proposed which would reduce the amount of blood cross-matched as cover by 65%. Review of the circumstances of all transfusions given over the study period suggested that adoption of the proposed schedule would not be detrimental to patient safety.