Amount of blood transfused in Shimane Medical University Hospital for recent five years was investigated. The total demand of blood for transfusion showed an increasing tendency every year. The consumption of whole blood decreased from 4,568 units (in 1981 financial year) to 1,579 units (in 1985), while that of blood components increased from 5,842 units (in 1981) to 13,539 units (in 1985). The crossmatch/transfusion (C/T) ratio in 1985 was determined. The C/T ratios of preserved whole blood and concentrated red blood cells were considerably high. The establishment of transfusion center and the adoption of new procedure for blood ordering, i. e., type and screen (T & S) or maximum surgical blood ordering schedule (MSBOS), are proposed to provide for more efficient utilization of limited blood resource.