A study of whole blood donor deferrals in the blood bank of a rural medical college in India

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Original Article

Author Details : Dipakkumar R. Prajapati, BH Parmar

Volume : 4, Issue : 4, Year : 2017

Article Page : 501-506

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Abstract

Introduction: To provide safe blood to the recipients, proper donor selection and deferral is as important as screening of blood bags for various transfusion transmissible infections (TTI).
Aims and Objectives: To study and analyse various causes & rate of pre-donation deferral of blood donors and to take proper follow up actions to decrease the temporary deferral rate without compromising blood quality and recipient’s safety, thus retaining prospective blood donors and preventing loss of precious blood.
Materials and Method: A retrospective study of various causes of pre-donation deferral of whole blood donors in the blood bank of our institute was done. Records of all deferrals of Financial Year 2012 to 2016 (4 years) were reviewed and analysed.
Results: A total of 6633 potential blood donors were registered during the study period which includes 6474 males (97.6%) and 159 females (2.4%) with 5840 Voluntary and 793 Replacement donations. Out of which, a total of 273 donors (4.11%) were deferred due to various reasons. Among these, 235 were Temporary (86.08%) and 38 were Permanent deferrals (13.92%). The main reason for temporary deferral is Low Haemoglobin; while for permanent deferral is Hepatitis B Positivity.
Conclusion: The donor deferral rate obtained in our study is 4.11% which is quite good as compared to higher deferral rates of some other studies. Majority of the donors were males, so encouragement and motivation of female donors is equally important to increase the overall donor pool. Temporary deferrals were more as compared to permanent deferrals. So by counselling and educating the temporary deferred donors regarding some common causes of temporary deferrals and deferral period, they can be brought back for future donations. The Leading causes of permanent deferrals were Transfusion Transmissible Infections (HBV, HIV, HCV). So proper counselling is also necessary to prevent them from donating blood for the safety of the recipient. In this ways, a pool of healthy blood donors can be increased without compromising quality of blood and safety of the recipients as well as donors.

Keywords: Whole blood donor, Blood bank, Deferral, Temporary, Permanent

How to cite : Prajapati D R, Parmar B, A study of whole blood donor deferrals in the blood bank of a rural medical college in India. Indian J Pathol Oncol 2017;4(4):501-506

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