Ten-year pattern of red blood cell use in the North of England.

Background: An understanding of current and changing patterns of red blood cell (RBC) use will help predict future demands and aid future planning for transfusion services. It can also highlight areas where efforts to optimize RBC use are most likely to be productive.

Study Design And Methods: Surveys were conducted in two 14-day periods of all RBC transfusions in a geographic region of England supplied by a single blood center.