Red blood cell transfusions--are we narrowing the evidence-practice gap? An observational study in 5 Israeli intensive care units.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to document transfusion practices in a cross section of general intensive care units (ICUs) in Israel and to determine whether current guidelines are being applied.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study was performed in 5 general ICUs in Israel over a 3-month period. Red cell transfusion data collected on consecutive patients included the trigger, units transfused per transfusion event, and indications, categorized either to treat a specified condition for which transfusions may be beneficial (acute hemorrhage, acute myocardial ischemia, or severe sepsis) or to treat a low hemoglobin concentration.