Improvement in intraoperative fresh frozen plasma transfusion practice--impact of medical audits and provider education.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the practice of anaesthesiologists in our institution for intraoperative transfusion of Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) and to see whether provider education can reduce the incidence of inappropriate FFP transfusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective audit was done for 6 months in all patients who received intraoperative FFP transfusion. The result were compared with recommendations by the British Committee for Standards in Haematology. These results were presented in the departmental meeting and guidelines were circulated. Another prospective audit was conducted for six months to see whether there was any effect of provider education on the intraoperative transfusion practice. RESULTS: The first audit showed that 14.6% of the transfusion were definitely indicated, 40.2% were conditionally indicated whereas there was no justification in 45.1%. The subsequent audit showed a significant reduction (23.3%) in the unjustified transfusions of FFP whereas conditional use was significantly increased (69.1%), showing an overall improvement in the intraoperative transfusion practice. CONCLUSION: Further education and a monitoring system to ensure adherence to the recommended guidelines is required to improve transfusion practice.