Safety of donating multiple products in a single apheresis collection: Are we expecting too much?

Modern blood separators rapidly process many liters of donor blood and efficiently collect vast quantities of blood components from donors, who may be stimulated with potent recombinant hematopoietic growth factors or cytokines. Accordingly, the potential risks of modern multiple product/unit apheresis donations and recombinant growth factors is analyzed in this report. As is true for all medical procedures, risks are associated with apheresis donations. Risks of a "standard" apheresis donation, in which one unit of PLTs or plasma is collected, are comparable to the risks of whole blood donation. Risks of multiple unit apheresis donations, in which either vast quantities of a single blood component or multiple units of various components are collected, are incompletely understood, particularly, when donors are stimulated with recombinant hematopoietic growth factors to increase component yields. To minimize donor risks and to increase knowledge of multiple component apheresis donations, both short-term problems (e.g., donor reactions accompanying apheresis procedures and pre- vs. post-procedure changes in results of donor laboratory studies) and long-term problems (e.g., medical diagnoses/problems and abnormalities of donor blood counts and laboratory test results) should be monitored, ideally, by a repeat donor registry. When recombinant hematopoietic growth factors are prescribed, donors should give informed consent, and blood center professionals must be aware of 1) the effects of these drugs given at pharmacologic, rather than physiologic, doses; 2) the differences between the molecular structure of recombinant vs. natural/endogenous growth factors; 3) the fact that recombinant growth factors have both narrow/focused and broad biological activities; and 4) the probability that results of studies in sick/immunosuppressed patients may not be applicable to healthy/immunocompetent donors.     

The impact of temporary deferral due to low hemoglobin: future return,time to return,and frequency of subsequent donation

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effects of a 6‐month deferral due to low hemoglobin (Hb) on the subsequent donation patterns of Australian whole blood donors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was a retrospective cohort study of the donation patterns of all whole blood donors deferred for low Hb during a 2‐month period compared with donors who were not deferred. Donations 3 years after eligibility to give blood were recorded. Analysis of proportion returning, time to return, and frequency of donation was performed using logistic regression, survival analysis, and negative binomial regression. RESULTS: Among first‐time donors, 20.9% of low Hb–deferred donors returned during the follow‐up period versus 69.9% of those not deferred. Among repeat donors, 64.0% of deferred donors returned versus 91.0% of those not deferred. Temporary deferral delayed time to first return (p < 0.001), reduced frequency of donation (2.4 donations per donor before deferral compared to 1.1 per donor in first year of follow‐up), and increased the likelihood of dropping out in later years of follow‐up. However, if a donor returned promptly once eligible and gave more donations in the first year, the negative impact on future donation patterns was diminished. High frequency of attendance before deferral was the strongest predictor of time to return and future donation frequency. CONCLUSION: Deferral for low Hb had a strong effect on first‐time and repeat donors. This study highlights the influence of strong donation habits on return after deferral and the importance of encouraging donors to return promptly once eligible.     

成都市无偿献血者脂肪血的人群分布及其影响因素分析

目的 探讨成都市无偿献血者中脂肪血的人群分布情况及其影响因素.方法 选择2013年3月1日至2014年3月1日于成都市血液中心某采血组献血的13 726人次献血者为研究对象.采用比浊图片法判断献血者脂肪血的发生情况.采用单因素分析和非条件多因素logistic回归分析法研究不同人口统计学特征[性别、年龄、文化程度、婚姻状况、职业、人体质量指数(BMI)]、献血季节、献血次数对脂肪血发生的影响.结果 本组13 726人次献血者所捐献血液中,脂肪血为990人次,脂肪血发生率为7.2％(990/13 726).其中,重度乳糜的脂肪血为351人次,占2.6％(351/13 726),中度乳糜的脂肪血为639人次,占4.7％(639/12 727).男性献血者脂肪血发生率为9.3％(632/6 799),高于女性的5.2％(358/6 927),并且差异有统计学意义(x2 =20.85,P＜0.05);已婚献血者脂肪血发生率为10.4％(551/5 290),高于单身者的5.2％(439/8 436),并且差异亦有统计学意义(x2=127.17,P＜0.05).不同年龄段、文化程度、职业、BMI、献血季节、献血次数的献血者脂肪血发生率比较,差别均有统计学意义(x2=24.37、61.91、23.53、101.39、10.41、11.52,P＜0.05).非条件多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,性别(OR=1.71,95％CI:1.48～1.91,P＜0.05),年龄(OR=1.20,95％CI:1.09～1.33,P＜0.05),职业(OR=0.96,95％CI:0.94～0.98,P＜0.05),BMI(OR=1.71,95％CI:1.53～1.90,P＜0.05)及献血季节(OR=0.91,95％CI:0.86～0.98,P＜0.05)是献血者发生脂肪血的独立危险因素.结论 成都市献血者脂肪血的分布具有明显倾向性,主要集中在男性、肥胖、35岁以上的献血人群,应针对这部分献血人群采取相应措施,最大程度的避免不合格血液采集,有效降低脂肪血的发生率,减少血液资源的浪费.     

The impact of policies to restrict the use of plasma containing products and apheresis platelets from female donors to mitigate transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI) in Brazil

Background and ObjectivesAlthough the incidence of TRALI is unknown in Brazil, some blood centers have adopted strategies to prevent TRALI. We evaluated the impact of three policies to mitigate TRALI on the supply of blood products: to divert the production of whole blood-derived plasma from female donors; to defer all female donors from apheresis platelet collections, and to defer only multiparous female donors from apheresis platelet collections.Materials and MethodsData from allogeneic whole blood and apheresis platelet donations from April 2008 to December 2009 were collected in three Brazilian blood centers and the impact of the aforementioned strategies was evaluated.ResultsOf 544,814 allogeneic blood donations, 30.8% of whole blood plasma and 24.1% of apheresis platelet donations would be reduced if only male donor plasma was issued for transfusion and all female donors were deferred from apheresis donation, respectively. If only multiparous donors were deferred from apheresis donation, there would be a 5% decrease of all apheresis platelet collections.ConclusionRestricting the use of whole blood derived plasma to male-only donors and deferring all female apheresis platelet donors would impact two out of three Brazilian blood centers. A deferral policy on multiparous apheresis platelet donors may be acceptable as a temporary measure, but may cause more stress on a system that is already working at its limit.     

Matching blood donations to type-specific product needs: A recruitment technique

The conversion of multiple whole blood donors to apheresis donors is a challenge since a rapidly expanding apheresis donor base could erode homologous collections. We addressed this concern with a plan to enhance apheresis recruitment as well as donations among homologous donors with types O and B blood. Focusing the donor's attention on blood type as it relates to type-specific product needs was the basis of our approach. A matrix was used to recruit the desired types for the desired procedures (whole blood, platelet/plasma apheresis). The matrix instructed donors of blood types O, A-, and B- to primarily give whole blood and to give apheresis as a secondary donation. Donors AB, A+, and B+ were primarily directed to apheresis donations, whole blood donation being secondary. A+ and O- donors only gave their secondary donation if they were at maximum donations with the primary donation. The collections by blood type in percentages for 12 months of 1992/93 for whole blood were O+ 38.9, 0- 7.3, A+ 29.5, A- 5.7, B+ 11.9, B- 2.1, AB+ 3.7, AB+ 0.7. For apheresis it was 0+ 36.2, 0- 6.7, A+ 33.0, A- 6.6, B+ 10.4, B- 1.2, AB+ 4.9, AB+ 1.0. In 1992/93, A+ and B+ apheresis collections as compared to total apheresis collections increased by 4.9% and 13.7%, respectively. For O group apheresis donations, a decrease of 2.5% was shown and A+ whole blood donations decreased by 5.35%. During the same period of time, total apheresis collections increased by 3,058 units. We demonstrated that integration of apheresis recruitment with type-specific whole blood recruitment yielded significant increases of type-specific products.     

腰围与体重指数对无偿献血者脂肪血的预测价值

目的 通过研究脂肪血与腰围、体重指数的关联,探索减少脂肪血采集的方法。方法 召回献血者249人,其中不同程度的脂肪血献血者161人作为观察组,随机抽取非脂肪血的献血者88人作为对照组。测量献血者身高、腰围、餐后血脂的浓度,让献血者填写问卷。结果 男性,有吸烟、喝酒习惯及药物史的献血者更倾向于出现脂肪血; 观察组中,献血者的体重指数(BMI)和腰围(WC)大于对照组,总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)高于对照组,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05); BMI、腰围与餐后TG呈正相关(r=0.471,P<0.05; r=0.273,P<0.05); 经ROC曲线分析,BMI预测脂肪血的最佳截点为25.92,ROC曲线下面积为0.769(95%CI:0.709～0.830,P<0.05),WC在预测脂肪血的最佳截点为91.50cm,ROC曲线下面积为0.811(95%CI:0.756～0.867,P<0.05)。结论 BMI,WC在无偿献血初筛中的应用能减少脂肪血的采集。     

Analysis of Chinese donors' return behavior

BACKGROUND: It is important to understand donor return behavior. Converting first‐time donors to become repeat donors is essential for maintaining an adequate blood supply. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Characteristics of 241,552 whole blood (WB) donations from first‐time and repeat donors who donated in 2008 at the five blood centers in China were compared. A subset of 54,394 WB donors who donated between January 1 and March 31, 2008, were analyzed for their return behavior in 2008 after the index donation using logistic regression. RESULTS: Of all donations, 64% were from first‐time donors. Donors with self‐reported previous donations tended to be male, older, and married; donated larger volume (≥300 mL); and were heavier in weight. Among donors who donated from January to March 2008, 14% returned for subsequent WB donations by the end of 2008. The number of previous donations and blood collection location were the two strongest predictors for making subsequent donations. Donors with one, two to three, and more than three previous donations were 3.7, 5.7, and 11.0 times more likely to return than first‐time donors. Those who donated in a blood collection vehicle were four times more likely to return than those who donated at a blood center. Being female, younger, and of a lower education level (middle school or less) were positively associated with subsequent return blood donation during the follow‐up period observed in this study. CONCLUSION: Most of the Chinese blood supply is from first‐time donors. Strategies aimed at encouraging current donors to become repeat donors are needed.     

The effect of motivational strategy on voluntary plasma donation,a field trial

BackgroundPlasma protein therapies (PPTs) are a group of medicines extracted from human plasma through fractionation. The manufacture of adequate amounts of PPTs requires a large volume of human plasma. WHO emphasized that whole blood and blood component donations should be voluntary and non-remunerated. So, motivating people to donate plasma is crucial. In this study, we evaluated the impact of social media on motivating blood donors to donate plasma without any compensation and the moderating effects of blood donation history on plasma donation.Methods and materialswe allocated blood donors (n = 501) to intervention and control groups randomly. Participants in the intervention group got educational and motivational messages through a WhatsApp channel. Then, we followed up all participants for six months and registered the information of the plasma donation during this period.ResultIn the intervention group, 6.8% had returned to donate plasma, while this was 2% in the control group (p = 0.016, OR:3.59, 95%CI:1.3–9.89). Among regular blood donors in the intervention group, 17.86% had returned to donate plasma but, no regular donor returned to donate plasma in the control group (p = 0.055). In addition, 10.8% of donors who had academic education in the intervention group returned to donate plasma, although this was 2.54% in the control group (P = 0.0485).ConclusionOur findings suggest that the educational interventions have more effects on academically educated donors to motivate them to donate plasma.     

Notes on East Anglian blood donors

The record cards of 10,000 donors were examined. Of these, 44.5 per cent were women, and women formed the majority of rhesus (Rh)-negative donors. In addition, 500 donor cards each of male and female donors were examined to obtain information regarding the age of donors when their first donation was given, how many donations were given by each donor, and how long they remained on the panel. The average number of donations per donor was six, given on the average over a four-year period. The age limits for blood donors are 18 to 64 years. Within these limits, only 5 per cent of the population will be blood donors. Responses to a questionnaire indicated three main reasons for not being current blood donors: lack of time, disqualification on health grounds, and lack of information regarding the time and place of blood donor sessions. The study indicates that publicity to recruit donors should be aimed to appeal to both sexes and that the most desirable age range for new donors is from 20 to 45 years of age. If the present policy of not encouraging individuals 60 years of age or older to be donors were changed to limit new donors to individuals less than 54 years old, the number of donations would be initially decreased by only 4.6 per cent. Any advertising campaign should give more information concerning exact places and times of sessions, and should aim to overcome general disinterest in the need for blood donors and the conviction that a personal donation is not really necessary. It might emphasize that giving up at most, an hour every six months is usually possible.     

COVID-19 related callback in blood donors; Outcomes in blood donors and patients

Call back as a procedure to report post donation symptoms or illness by donors has been established since 2009 in Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO). During the first phase of COVID-19 outbreak, all blood donors were requested to report any respiratory infection symptoms after donation. The study investigated the callback data of COVID-19 in Tehran Blood Center during the first 3 months of the outbreak in Iran. The purpose of this study was to estimate the frequency of post donation COVID-19 related call back reports and determine its implications for blood donors and patients.A telephone interview was conducted with donors who had reported COVID-19 symptoms. Some questions were asked to evaluate donor′s health at the time of blood donation. The donors categorized into three groups: laboratory-confirmed, suspected, and COVID-19 irrelevant based on their answers. In cases that the blood component obtained from a laboratory-confirmed donor had been released, the hospital was notified and asked to follow up the recipient for COVID-19.The results showed 30 donors (0.08 %) had callback related to COVID-19 and 76.63 % of the obtained component was disposed. The results also showed that only one donor had a laboratory-confirmed result with the RBC unit processed from her whole blood released for transfusion. The RBC unit recipient did not show any signs or symptoms of infection during a 46-day follow-up.Concluded that callback system was effective to remove most of the components obtained from the donors who reported to be COVID-19 suspected or confirmed. Moreover, the result did not support virus transmission through blood transfusion.     

重复献血者与初次献血者携带肝炎病毒可能性的比较

目的分析重复献血者与初次献血者携带肝炎病毒的可能性。方法以2002～2005年及2007～2010年间献血者资料为例,将献血者分为重复献血者和初次献血者,分析两类献血者的构成、献血间隔、血液筛查结果等资料,并对部分HBsAg和抗-HCV筛查结果进行确证。结果重复献血者捐献的血液占全部献血的比例由2002～2005年度的25.2%,上升到2007～2010年度的29.9%,平均年龄由38岁降至32岁;重复献血者捐献的血液HBsAg和抗-HCV不合格率明显低于初次献血者,且不合格样本的阳性确证率也明显低于初次献血者。结论重复献血者携带肝炎病毒的可能性较初次献血者低,是较安全的献血人群,应巩固和发展固定的无偿献血者队伍,保障血液安全。     

Seropositivity for syphilis among Brazilian blood donors. A retrospective study 2015–2020

IntroductionSyphilis is a transfusion-transmitted infection and the disease re-emerged in many countries, including Brazil, as a public health risk.ObjectiveEvaluate the prevalence of positive serology in blood donations rejected by Hemobanco (Curitiba- PR) from January 2015 to December 2020, with special focus in syphilis.MethodologyIn the studied period, we analyzed the number of blood donations discarded annually for each serological test performed on blood donors’ samples, according to gender and donors age.ResultsWithin the studied period, 134,741 blood donation were analyzed. 54.5 % of sample were male. Otherwise, it was observed a significant increase in the number of donations by females (P < 0.0001). There was an increase of 437 % in the prevalence of syphilis positive serology made by donors with ≥ 60 years. Besides that, it was noticed a significant increase in donations by aged people throughout these six years (P < 0.0001). The percentage of total blood donation deferred had a significant reduction, although it was observed an increase in the rate of discarded blood bags due to positive serology in the first 4 studied years. It was observed an increase of 20 % in positive syphilis serology.ConclusionThe greatest cause of discard of blood donations changed during the analyzed 5-years; there was an increase in seropositivity donations from donors with ≥ 60 years old. In 2015, Hepatitis B (0.8 %) was the most prevalent and in 2020, syphilis became more prevalent (0.82 %). The medical community should be aware of the rising number of cases of syphilis infection. There is an urgent need to implement actions against the dissemination of this disease.     

Analysis of donor return behavior

BACKGROUND: Efforts to provide a safe, adequate blood supply have been inhibited by persistent shortages attributed to a lack of motivation on the part of the general public and inefficiency in recruiting processes. This study examined whether frequency of donations and/or timing of subsequent donations by first-time donors related to donor demographics. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Characteristics of 879,816 first-time donors making at least one whole-blood donation were analyzed. Cox proportional-hazards regression models evaluated the first 10 return times separately, and a recurrent-event Cox model was applied to simultaneously evaluate the first five returns. RESULTS: The shorter the donation interval between the first two donations, the more likely the donor was to make subsequent donations. The proportion of repeat donors increased with education level. Rate of donation increased with age and education. The recurrent-event Cox regression model showed that Rh-negative donors, older donors, and donors who had completed college had higher donation return rates. CONCLUSION: Time to return for second donation was associated with total number of donations made and with return rate for subsequent returns. Age was the strongest predictor of high donation frequency and early-return rate. Relationships between interdonation interval and the number of future donations may prove useful in understanding return behavior and developing donor recruitment and retention strategies.     

Blood discard rate in a blood center in Curitiba – Brazil. Ten years of study

Introduction

Development of technologies to reduce transfusion risks of infectious diseases is a major characteristic of hemotherapy. Thus, each donation undergoes clinical and serological screening tests to ensure the donated blood do not offer risks to the receiver.

How to convert whole-blood donors to plasma donors: An investigation of the mechanisms of awareness of need for plasma and donors' perception of response efficacy

Background

Blood donation services need to increase plasma donations to match the rising demand. However, evidence on how to best recruit donors among whole-blood donors is limited. Therefore, this study evaluated the effectiveness of a conversion strategy based on two different mechanisms that drive donor behavior: (a) awareness of the need for plasma donation and (b) perception of response efficacy regarding plasma donation.

Study Design and Methods

An online experiment with 246 German Red Cross whole-blood donors (possibility of plasma donation, blood group AB) was conducted using a 2 × 2 factorial, between-subject setup, and a pre–post treatment measurement. The mechanisms varied and were addressed with experimental treatments and measured. Analyses of variance and hierarchical regression models were used to analyze the effects on intention and behavior.

Results

The intention to donate plasma was low, but increased with treatment (mean value_overall of intention_{beforeTreatment} = 2.63, SD = 1.73 vs. intention_{afterTreatment} = 3.28, SD = 1.92). Furthermore, 31% of participants expressed willingness to be forwarded to the appointment-scheduling system of the blood donation service for further information. Only the mechanism of response efficacy was significantly associated with the intention to donate plasma (β_Efficacy = .254, p = .001; β_{Awareness of Need} = .126, p = .070).

Discussion

A conversion strategy based on making donors aware of their response efficacy is a promising way to optimize donor panels by shifting them to where they have the greatest impact. However, this study also substantiates the difficulty of such an effort. Blood donation services should invest in persuasion efforts and build personalized integrated marketing communications.     

Organization of the outdoor blood donation drives amid novel coronavirus pandemic and national lockdown: An experience from a tertiary care oncology institution in India

The conduct of blood donation drives became difficult amid novel coronavirus disease pandemic and national lockdown. Despite no restriction for the outdoor blood donation drives, voluntary blood donor organizations (VBDOs) and individual donors became apprehensive regarding the possible risk of spread of the infection during blood donation. Various confidence-building measures were taken to decrease this hesitation. Numerous preventive measures were taken at the blood bank and at the donation venue to limit the possible risk of the spread of infection. With the help of these measures, the confidence of the individual blood donors and the VBDOs was restored and multiple blood drives were organized.     

US public cord blood banking practices: recruitment,donation, and the timing of consent

BACKGROUND: Cord blood has moved rapidly from an experimental stem cell source to an accepted and important source of hematopoietic stem cells. There has been no comprehensive assessment of US public cord blood banking practices since the Institute of Medicine study in 2005. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Of 34 US public cord blood banks identified, 16 participated in our qualitative survey of public cord blood banking practices. Participants took part in in‐depth telephone interviews in which they were asked structured and open‐ended questions regarding recruitment, donation, and the informed consent process at these banks. RESULTS: Thirteen of 16 participants reported a variably high percentage of women who consented to public cord blood donation. Fifteen banks offered donor registration at the time of hospital admission for labor and delivery. Seven obtained full informed consent and medical history during early labor and eight conducted some form of phased consent and/or phased medical screening and history. Nine participants identified initial selection of the collection site location as the chief mode by which they recruited minority donors. CONCLUSION: Since 2005, more public banks offer cord blood donor registration at the time of admission for labor and delivery. That and the targeted location of cord blood collection sites are the main methods used to increase access to donation and HLA diversity of banked units. Currently, the ability to collect and process donations, rather than donor willingness, is the major barrier to public cord blood banking.     

Assessment of donor fear enhances prediction of presyncopal symptoms among volunteer blood donors

BACKGROUND: Fear is an important contributor to the risk of presyncopal reactions to blood donation. However, concern that asking donors about their fears may increase the risk of reactions is a potential impediment to incorporating fear assessment into donor screening. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Before donation, participants responded to a series of questions that either did (n = 488) or did not (n = 494) include questions related to fear of seeing blood drawn. Immediately after donation all participants provided ratings of presyncopal reactions. RESULTS: Among those asked predonation fear questions, fear was most strongly related to presyncopal symptoms when compared against other donor characteristics (e.g., age, number of prior donations, body mass index, estimated blood volume, blood pressure, and pulse). However, Mann‐Whitney U tests revealed that being asked about fear before donation was not associated with higher reports of presyncopal reactions for the sample as a whole, nor among novice donors. Further, regression analyses indicated that fear remained a significant predictor of presyncopal reactions in final models that included age and number of prior donations as significant predictors. CONCLUSION: Predonation assessment of fear of blood draws may help to identify donors who are most likely to benefit from brief interventions designed to enhance donor coping, reduce risk of presyncopal reactions, and increase donor retention.