Cost of allogeneic and autologous blood transfusion in Canada

Objective: To determine the cost, from a societal perspective, of blood transfusion in Canada. Study design: Cost-structure analysis. Setting: Data were collected from eight hospitals and from six blood centres operated by the Canadian Red Cross Society in four provinces. Outcome measures: Costs associated with four stages of transfusion -- collection, production, distribution and delivery -- in 1993 were assessed. Costs were divided into the following categories: personnel, purchases, external services, overhead, donors' time, patients' time (for autologous transfusion), wastage and infection. Results: The mean overall cost of a transfusion performed on an inpatient basis was $210 per unit of red blood cells for an allogeneic transfusion and $338 per unit of blood for an autologous transfusion. The mean cost of an allogeneic transfusion performed on an outpatient basis was $280 per unit of red blood cells. Conclusion: The costs determined in this study can be used in future studies comparing the cost-effectiveness of allogeneic transfusion with that of alternative methods.