Early Trends in Clinical Service Utilization and Haematological Profiles Following a Hospital Service Upgrade in South-Eastern Nigeria: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Hospital service upgrades from specialized maternity facilities to comprehensive healthcare centers influence patient attendance patterns, diagnostic demand, and laboratory workload. However, empirical evidence describing early post-upgrade service utilization and haematological profiles in Nigerian healthcare facilities remains limited.  Methods: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Ngozi Maternity and Hospital Services, South-Eastern Nigeria, following its service upgrade in 2025. Clinical and laboratory records of 313 patients who accessed healthcare services between 1 September and 31 December 2025 were reviewed. Data on socio-demographics, service utilization, and haematological parameters were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics and inferential tests (Chi-square, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA) were applied, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.  Results: General outpatient services accounted for the highest patient attendance (57.5%), followed by other specialized units (24.6%), maternity ward (7.6%), accident and emergency (7.3%), and antenatal clinic (2.9%). Anaemia was the most prevalent haematological abnormality (30.3%), particularly among antenatal patients, while leukocytosis predominated among emergency and outpatient attendees (35.1%). Mean haemoglobin concentration, total white blood cell count, and platelet count differed significantly across service units (p < 0.05).  Conclusion: Early post-upgrade assessment demonstrated a shift toward general outpatient dominance, with haematological investigations remaining integral to clinical decision-making. Continuous monitoring of service utilization and laboratory trends is essential for evidence-based planning, efficient resource allocation, and quality improvement in newly expanded healthcare facilities.