Background. The replacement of fluids after severe injuries is always a complex issue, either in medical doctrine or in clinical practice. Regardless of the fact, daily work with patients requires the clearest possible guidelines and their regular monitoring.

Methods. We made a chart showing the number of patients and the quantity of blood or blood components used in the Celje General Hospital in the past four years.

Results. The analyses have shown that indications for the use of blood or blood components have narrowed. At the same time, it is quite evident that it is difficult and also risky to decide on a transfusion only on the given laboratory values. Only a careful analysis of the therapy has shown that the decision on a transfusion is based on both, the clinical picture and its development, the evaluation of visible and invisible loss of blood, and on regular and extensive laboratory monitoring.

Conclusions. Despite improved surgical techniques and introduction of new transfusion strategies loss of blood and need for transfusion during and after polytrauma surgeries is still rather high. In the analysed four year period, the maintained level of haemoglobin in patients that had a major surgery has slightly declined. It is therefore essential to cooperate with the respective hospital transfusion committee and prepare as well as follow up some clear guidelines for the rationalisation, not only restriction of transfusion of blood and blood components.