Study of pattern of blood donor deferral at a Tertiary Health care centre over 10 years in Navi Mumbai, India

Abstract

Introduction: Donor and recipient safety are of paramount importance in Blood bank. Recent advances in science and regulatory authorities guide to formulate donor selection criteria. The aim of our study was to evaluate the blood donor referral patterns at our institute and formulate methods to decrease temporary deferral rates. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. It was carried out on all donors who came willingly for allogeneic blood donation. The duration of study was 10 years from December, 2009, until December 2018, in Blood Bank of Dr. D Y Patil medical College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai. The license is approved by the FDA, Thane. The donation and deferral data were analyzed to determine the causes of temporary and permanent deferral and demographic variations in the same. Results: The blood donor deferral rate was 13%, we had segregated the deferrals in category A- Permanent Deferrals Category B- Temporary Deferrals. The majority of deferrals were temporary deferrals (63.4%) of young donors. The maximum number of donors deferred (30.7%) due to Low hemoglobin (Anaemia) (temporary), closely followed by 29.6% due past history of diseases like heart disease and Jaundice. History of malaria, intake of medicines, infections, underweight, last blood donation within 3 months (temporary deferral), and history of heart and lung diseases, diabetes, and with suspicious identity (permanent deferral) were other major causes identified. Conclusion: The pattern of donor deferral is important to formulate blood donation policies and provide guidelines for donor safety at regional and national levels. We conclude that patient education about blood donation criteria can help to decrease the rate of temporary blood donation deferrals.