The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a highly specialized area within the medical facility where advanced and critically ill patients are managed and should be reserved for patients with reversible medical conditions with reasonable prospects of recovery. It involves both significant human and capital resources. This is particularly challenging in developing countries such as the Caribbean where limitation of both financial and human resources demands that ICU beds be appropriately utilized.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine current red cell transfusion practices, transfusion indications and their relationship to patient outcome in intensive care unit (ICU) patients at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).