LAUSR

To assess if routine group and save is indicated prior to all vascular procedures. A retrospective review of all patients who were admitted to vascular ward between 1st to 30th June 2020 was performed using our hospital database. The following data was retrieved: admission diagnosis, preoperative haemoglobin, number, and type of vascular surgeries performed, number of G&S sent and total number requiring transfusion. Total 81 patients were admitted, all had a G&S on arrival with routine bloods. All preoperative patients need 2 G&S prior to surgery as per trust policy.69 patients underwent surgery.111G&S were processed.51 patients had 1 G&S on admission as they had a previous sample.28 patients had 2 G&S either because they had no previous records or had postoperative complications.2 patients required multiple transfusions so had >3 G&S each. 8 out of 81 patients needed peri-operative blood transfusion. 7 of them had undergone limb or toe amputations and 1 patient had ruptured AAA. The cost of single G&S sample is £30.8. Patients undergoing angioplasty, bypass, carotid endarterectomy (n = 46) did not require transfusion, but the expenditure incurred by performing g&s in these patients was £1570.8 Peri-operative blood transfusion rates were 9.8%. Judicious use of G&S could have saved £1570.8 to the trust. Rationalising preoperative G&S policy would lead to substantial financial savings.