[Survey on blood transfusion policy within Dutch hospitals: wide discrepancies. Central Guidance Organization for Peer Review]

Abstract

Objective: To describe the transfusion practices in Dutch hospitals.

Design: Descriptive.

Method: Late in 1995 a questionnaire was sent to the heads of the transfusion laboratories of all Dutch hospitals.

Results: The response was 91% (117/128). A large variation was found not only in the ways transfusion medicine was organised but also in laboratory methods used.

Conclusion: The implementation of the consensus agreements on blood transfusion in the Netherlands (1983, revised in 1989) is poor. Continuous education of the participants should be encouraged. Implementation of these agreements could be facilitated by active participation of the blood bank in the transfusion committees of each hospital.