Novis DA, Renner S, Friedberg R, Walsh MK, Saladino AJ. Quality indicators of fresh frozen plasma And platelet utilization: three College of American Pathologists Q-Probes studies of 8 981 796 units of fresh frozen plasma and platelets in 1 639 hospitals. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2002; 126:527-532.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the normative rates of expiration and wastage for units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelets (PLTs) in hospital communities throughout the United States, and to examine hospital blood bank practices associated with more desirable (lower) rates.

DESIGN: In 3 separate studies, participants in the College of American Pathologists Q-Probes laboratory quality improvement program collected data retrospectively on the numbers of units of FFP and PLTs that expired (outdated) prior to being used and that were wasted due to mishandling. Participants also completed questionnaires describing their hospitals’ and blood banks’ laboratory and transfusion practices.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: One thousand six hundred thirty-nine public and private institutions, more than 80% of which were known to be located in the United States.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quality indicators of FFP and PLT utilization: the rates of expiration and wastage of units of FFP and PLTs.

RESULTS: Participants submitted data on 8 981 796 units of FFP and PLTs. In all 3 studies, aggregate combined FFP and PLT expiration rates ranged from 5.8% to 6.4% and aggregate combined FFP and PLT wastage rates ranged from 2.0% to 2.5%. Among the top-performing 10% of participants (90th percentile and above), FFP and PLT expiration rates were 0.6% or lower and FFP and PLT wastage rates were 0.5% or lower. Among the bottom-performing 10% of participants (10th percentile and below), expiration rates were 13.8% or higher and wastage rates were 6.8% or higher. We were unable to associate selected hospital characteristics or blood bank practices with lower rates of FFP and PLT utilization.

CONCLUSIONS: The rates of FFP and PLT expiration and wastage vary greatly among hospitals in the United States. Hospital blood bank personnel are capable of achieving FFP and PLT expiration and wastage rates below 1%.