[Are the indications and choice of labile blood products adapted? National survey on prescriber's knowledge].

Objective: There is little data available on current practice related to prescription of labile blood products (LBP) by French physicians. The aim of this study was to assess whether prescriptions were conform to Anaes (French Medicine's agency) guidelines, with regard not only to indications but also quality of the products, so as to define the improvements that could be made.

Method: Thirty-four clinical case reports, classified by specialties were sent to prescribing physicians working in the regional health centers, from 17 different blood banks, from October 1997 to February 1998. The prescribers were requested to answer only the questions that were specific to their particular field of experience. Each case description included multiple choice questions on the indication for transfusion of concentrated of red blood cells (RBC) and/or platelets (CP) and/or plasma, and the possible requirements for specification or modification of the guidelines applicable to these products. The primary end point of analysis was the adequation of the answers to the Anaes recommendations.

Results: Answers were obtained regarding 5092 clinical cases from 818 physicians. The participation rate was of 30%. The specialties were as follows: 34% anesthesiologists, 14% oncologists-haematologists, 13% internal medicine specialists, 11% emergency physicians, 10% paediatricians, 8% obstetricians, 7% geriatricians, and 3% transplantation surgeons. Eighty-two percent of the answers came from physicians working in the public health services. The adequation with the indication for transfusion was of 90.3% for RBC, 92.3% for platelets and 93.8% for plasma. The percentages of correct answers regarding the indications for specification or modification of the LBP were as follows: 90.3% were correct for irradiation (of either RBC or platelets); 68.8% and 53.2% respectively for leukocyte depletion from RBC and platelets; 64% for phenotyped RBC; 68.2% for compatibilized RBC; and 57.3% for apheresis platelet concentrates. There was no difference in results depending on the type of center, private or public, and the quality of LBP prescribed. The answers obtained from the anaesthesiologists' clinical cases were less accurate with regard to RBC but more accurate with regard to PC compared with other specialists.

Conclusion: This study shows the correct management of the indications for transfusion by the prescribing physicians who participated in the study, but the lack of knowledge with regard to the indications for specifications and/or transformations of LBP. The respect of the indications for transfusion is the corner stone of safe transfusion and this phase should be optimized with improved dissemination of information on transfusion and training for the physicians and programs that would improve the quality.