Indications for inpatient platelet transfusions

The total usage of platelet transfusions (random donor platelet concentrates, single donor apheresis units, and HLA-matched single donor apheresis units) was estimated for all inpatient admissions for the years 1993-1995 in the United States for each recipient's DRG classification. The individual DRG classifications were combined into ten general disease groupings and the relative use of all platelet products (measured in "single donor apheresis unit equivalents") in these groups calculated. A "single donor apheresis unit equivalent" is appoximately 3 x 10¹¹ platelets; six random donor platelet concentrates equal one "single donor apheresis unit equivalent."