A Blinded Randomized Trial Comparing 2 Needle Gauges for Fine-Needle Biopsy of Thyroid Nodules.

Objective: To compare diagnostic capability and patient pain between 25-gauge (25G) and 27G needles for ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy of thyroid nodules.

Study Design: Prospective blinded randomized trial.

Setting: Thyroid clinic in otolaryngology practice in a community.

A prospective audit program to determine blood component transfusion appropriateness at a large university hospital: a 5-year experience.

Predetermined transfusion guidelines, pretransfusion approval, and transfusion audits are useful tools in the education of those ordering blood components, potentially resulting in the reduction of inappropriate use of blood components. Our institution requires mandatory prospective audits for a proportion (10%) of packed red blood cell unit orders and all orders for fresh frozen plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate. Cases where the blood bank physician recommends against a transfusion and the ordering physician concurs, or when blood components are released against blood bank's recommendation, are referred to the transfusion committee.