A dedicated unit transfusion protocol was initiated in the NICU at TUH in September, 1995. Each infant was assigned a unit of packed RBCs at the time of first Tx. A new unit was issued after 28 d if additional Tx needs occurred. A retrospective review to determine the effectiveness of this protocol in decreasing donor exposure in <1500 g infants was done. Methods: Transfusion records of all <1500 g infants for a 1 yr. period in the pre-dedicated unit era (n = 63, Gp 1) were compared to records from a 1 yr. period in the dedicated unit era (n = 58, Gp 2). Infants were excluded from analysis if they did not receive a PRBC Tx., died, or were transferred prior to 28 d of life. 37 infants remained in Gp 1 and 26 in Gp 2. There were no differences in BW or GA between Gps 1 and 2. Statistical comparisons between groups were done using non-paired student's t-test. Results: Total# of transfusions per infant was the same in Gps 1 and 2 (n = 5.5 ± 0.9 vs. 4.5 ± 0.9 (p = 0.2).TableSummary: The # of donor exposures was reduced in the <1000 g category (*p<0.01). In the 1000-1500 g category, 2 infants rec'd an additional exposure when the unit was switched for a directed donor, siblings rec'd additional exposures when assigned units were shared. Concl: Use of a dedicated unit protocol decreases donor exposures in the <1000 gram infant. For optimal reduction in donor exposure, use of directed donors should be discouraged and units should not be shared.
