Blood products use and related factors in Japan

PURPOSES: To examine the use of blood products in Japan by prefectures and to determine the factors associated with the amount of blood products used. METHODS: The amounts of blood products used in November 1995 were surveyed in 8,723 hospitals throughout Japan. The survey also included whether the blood products in hospitals were stored and managed based on the guidelines for appropriate use of blood products. RESULTS: 1. 4,675(90.9%) of the 5,141 respondents used blood products in 1995. 2. The amount of use of each blood product was considerably different among the prefectures. Larger amounts of red blood products and plasma products were used in urban areas. 3. The amounts of use of red blood cell products, plasma products and platelet concentrates showed similar geographical distributions at a significant correlation (r > or = 0.6) each other. The amount of use of albumin products correlated significantly (r = 0.69) with that of immunoglobulin products. 4. Among the various blood products surveyed in this study, the amount of use of only red blood cell products was comparatively larger in the prefectures where blood products were appropriately stored and managed. 5. The number of surgical operations performed under general anesthetization correlated positively with the amount of use of red blood cell products, plasma products and platelet concentrates; a similar correlation was observed between the number of operations for malignant neoplasm and cardiac diseases. CONCLUSION: The amounts of use of blood products used were significantly different among the prefectures in Japan. The amount of use of red blood cell products possibly reflects demand and consumption of blood products as a whole.