6. Transfusion rates in the U.S. are higher than many countries
Blood utilization in the United States is significantly higher than in most Western countries and the gap is increasing. While blood utilization in the U.S. increased by 16% from 1999- 2004, it decreased by 8% in the United Kingdom during the same period. Remarkably, blood utilization in the U.S. is currently 15% higher per capita than in Europe and 44% higher than in Canada. This difference is likely attributable to a combination of higher blood prices, national transfusion education programs, hemovigilance programs which spotlight transfusion risks, and accountability for performance and compliance at the hospital level.
Wallis JP, Wells AW, Chapman CE. Changing indications for red cell transfusion from 2000 to 2004 in the North of England. Transfus Med 2006;16:411-7.
Yazer M, Triulzi D. Messages from national blood data collection reports. Transfusion 2007;47:366-8.
MacPherson J, Mahoney CB, Katz L et al. Contribution of blood to hospital revenue in the United States. Transfusion 2007;47:114S-6S.
