[RESULTS] Transfused patients had higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score ( SAPS ) II ( 56 ( 45-69 ) vs. 48 ( 37-61 ) , p = 0.0005 ) , more bleeding episodes , lower haemoglobin levels days 1 to 5 , higher Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment ( SOFA ) scores ( days 1 and 5 ) , more days in shock ( 5 ( 3-10 ) vs. 2 ( 2-4 ) , p = 0.0001 ) , more days in ICU ( 10 ( 4-19 ) vs. 4 ( 2-8 ) , p = 0.0001 ) and higher 90-day mortality ( 66 vs. 43 % , p = 0.001 ) .