Perioperative red blood cell transfusion for patients undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery: an audit at a Chinese tertiary hospital

Perioperative blood transfusion still takes a large proportion in inappropriate blood transfusion. As the data are limited in China, we reported a perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion practices in a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou, China.In 2008–2009, patients who underwent elective surgeries receiving RBC transfusions were recorded and the rate of overtransfusion was analyzed. Overtransfusion was defined as discharge hemoglobin (Hb) exceeding 10g/dL. The median amount of RBC transfused perioperatively was four units in all 2572 patients. The overall rate of overtransfusion was 48.6% and the Department of Neurosurgery had the highest overtransfusion rate. These results are of great use for the future management of blood resource.