Patterns and Causes of Blood Component Discard at the Regional Blood Center, Quetta: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Background: Blood transfusion is a critical intervention in life-saving medical care, serving both to replace lost blood and to manage various hematological conditions. However, the wastage of this irreplaceable resource poses significant challenges to maintaining a consistent supply of blood and its components. The situation is particularly acute in resource-limited settings where disposal rates are high. Data on blood discard patterns in Balochistan remain scarce. This study therefore aims to evaluate the pattern of blood component discard at the Regional Blood Center, Quetta.

Objective: To investigate the patterns and underlying causes of blood component discard at the Regional Blood Center (RBC), Quetta, and to propose evidence-based recommendations for reducing blood wastage.

Materials and Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted over a three-month period from December 11, 2025, to March 11, 2026. A structured blood component discard proforma was developed and utilized for data collection on all units designated for disposal. Data were entered and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2016.

Results: During the study period, a total of 18,240 blood components were prepared from 6,080 donations. Of these, 1,469 components were discarded, yielding an overall discard rate of 8.1%. The leading cause of discard was positivity for transfusion-transmitted infections (TTI), accounting for 32.8% of discarded units. Delayed processing (18.9%) and shelf-life expiration (14.5%) were the second and third most common causes, respectively. Among component types, platelets represented the highest proportion of discards (44.7%), followed by plasma (including FFP) at 43.5%, and packed red blood cells (PRBCs) at 11.8%.

Conclusion: To mitigate unnecessary wastage and ensure optimal utilization of this valuable resource, targeted interventions including enhanced staff training, improved inventory and product management, and strengthened donor screening protocols are essential.