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Blood transfusion is a common practice in hospitals. In many diseases, transfusion of red blood cells can be a life-saving measure. Knowing the blood group phenotypes of the donors in any population is important to improve health care services and to better serve patients. We aimed to determine the blood group phenotypes of the regular donors visiting the main blood donation center in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). A total of 500 regular blood donors were included, and blood group antigens were tested using serologic methods. Major blood group systems included in this testing were ABO, Rh, Kell, Kidd, Duffy, Lewis, Lutheran, MNS, and P1PK. The most prevalent ABO/D blood type was group O, D+ (29.6%), with the most prevalent phenotype in the Rh blood group system reported as R 1 r (34.4%). In the Kell system, the K-k+ phenotype was reported in 92.4 percent of individuals tested. The rare Duffy null phenotype, Fy(a-b-), was reported in 11.0 percent of the cohort. Most donors (99.0%) were Lu(b+). In the Lewis system, the phenotype Le(a-b+) was seen in 61.8 percent of the donors. MNS system phenotypes were comparable to the reports from Saudi Arabia and India, with M+N+S-s+ being the most prevalent (21.2%). The prevalence of many major blood group phenotypes in the UAE blood donor population showed similarities to results from populations in neighboring countries, but other phenotype prevalences were unique to this population. This finding can be used to build a blood group registry for the local population that can better serve hospitals' transfusion requirements., Blood transfusion is a common practice in hospitals. In many diseases, transfusion of red blood cells can be a life-saving measure. Knowing the blood group phenotypes of the donors in any population is important to improve health care services and to better serve patients. We aimed to determine the blood group phenotypes of the regular donors visiting the main blood donation center in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). A total of 500 regular blood donors were included, and blood group antigens were tested using serologic methods. Major blood group systems included in this testing were ABO, Rh, Kell, Kidd, Duffy, Lewis, Lutheran, MNS, and P1PK. The most prevalent ABO/D blood type was group O, D+ (29.6%), with the most prevalent phenotype in the Rh blood group system reported as R 1 r (34.4%). In the Kell system, the K–k+ phenotype was reported in 92.4 percent of individuals tested. The rare Duffy null phenotype, Fy(a–b–), was reported in 11.0 percent of the cohort. Most donors (99.0%) were Lu(b+). In the Lewis system, the phenotype Le(a–b+) was seen in 61.8 percent of the donors. MNS system phenotypes were comparable to the reports from Saudi Arabia and India, with M+N+S–s+ being the most prevalent (21.2%). The prevalence of many major blood group phenotypes in the UAE blood donor population showed similarities to results from populations in neighboring countries, but other phenotype prevalences were unique to this population. This finding can be used to build a blood group registry for the local population that can better serve hospitals’ transfusion requirements.

Background: A cross-match to transfused unit ratio of less than 2.0 is frequently used to assess performance in many hospital blood banks. This brief report was initiated to evaluate the practice at a local hospital and to emphasize the importance of regular educational sessions to improve blood transfusion practice., Method: Retrospective data on cross-match : transfused (C : T) ratio of all departments was collected and educational sessions were given to improve practice. Thereafter, a new set of data was collected and change in practice was assessed., Results: Initial data showed total (C : T) ratio of 1.95. After medical staff education, analysis showed clinically significant improvement in blood utilization practice with a (C : T) ratio of 1.60., Conclusion: This brief report indicates the importance of regular physician education, the potential role of blood transfusion committee, and the need to implement clear guidelines for blood transfusion., (© 2012 American Association of Blood Banks.)