ANALYSIS OF BLOOD DONOR DEFERRAL IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL BASED BLOOD BANK FROM NORTH EAST INDIA

Abstract

Background: The blood donor selection is a very important step for safe and healthy blood transfusion. During the stringent process of donor selection, the donors who are disqualified for donating blood are called deferred donors. Donors may get deferred due to temporary or permanent causes. The rates and reasons of donor deferral vary from region to region. This study was carried out to know the reasons of donor deferral and deferral rates in our blood bank.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary hospital based blood bank from North East India for a period of one year between January 2018 and December2018. All blood donors were screened as per guide lines of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) provided in Standards for Blood Banks and Blood Transfusion Services under the Drugs and Cosmetic Act 1940. The relevant data and information of the deferred donors were retrieved and analyzed from the donor deferral register.

Results: A total of 14078 potential blood donors were studied in this study, out of which 1365 were deferred. Total donor deferral rate was 9.69%. The most common cause of deferral amongst blood donors was anaemia (Hb<12.5 gm/dl) comprising 54.58%.

Conclusion: Knowledge of donor deferral reasons and incidence in a particular region is very important in developing better strategies to minimize the loss of precious blood donors. It will ensure safe and quality blood and blood products for the recipients.

Keywords: blood donor deferral, temporary deferral, permanent deferral, anaemia.