Blood Donor Counselling, Notification, and Referral: Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital of North India

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives: The concept of blood donor notification and counseling has gained recognition as an essential component of blood safety and donor care. By examining the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of this intervention, valuable insights can be gained to inform future improvements in practices in the region and around the globe. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at department of transfusion medicine on 18197 consecutive whole blood & component donors who visited the blood Centre between April 2018 and January 2023. The intervention involved the implementation of a blood donor notification and counseling system. Result: 178 donors were reactive in the study period with prevalence rate of (0.9%).112 (62.9%) donors out of 178 seroreactive donors could be contacted telephonically from the blood Centre. These are called as notified donors. Remaining 66 seroreactive donors could not be contacted. 39 donors out of 178 seroreactive donors were responders and remaining 139 donors were non-responders. Conclusion: This study highlights the significance of an efficient and comprehensive donor referral and notification system in ensuring the safety of blood transfusions but still lot of ground work needs to be done. Effective communication, personalized counseling, and continuous education form pillars of this process. The prevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections among blood donors further emphasizes the need for prompt action and appropriate referral for further evaluation and care.