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Background and Objectives: Blood transfusions are frequently prescribed for acute and chronic conditions. When transfused judiciously, blood can save life and improve the health of the patient(s). However, transfusion of blood and blood components is never risk-free. Despite this, transfusion consent may not be obtained satisfactorily. We assessed the knowledge of patients about their blood transfusion and consenting process and the impact of structured information on their knowledge. Methods: A cross-sectional qualitative study design was employed. The study included all consenting adult patients who were intended recipients of red blood cell transfusion. Patient information sheet (PIS) along with pre- and postquestionnaire was administered to study patients. Results: Our study examined patients "knowledge and their attitude" about blood transfusion and recalling of their decision on consenting to transfusion. For the reason of being transfused, 58.5% were not aware, while 73% were unaware about the benefits of blood transfusion. Similarly, 85.5% were unaware about the risk of blood transfusion. There was a lack of knowledge about the "alternative option" of blood transfusion. Our findings also suggest that a standardized informed consent process was not being carried out. Conclusion: There is a need for strengthening IEC in the blood transfusion process. The present study has highlighted the role of printed/written information (PIS) in the native language and in imparting knowledge in the context of blood transfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: COVID-19 has infected and caused the deaths of millions of people globally with India being the second most affected country in the world. The primary objective of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) antibodies in healthy blood donors in North India. The secondary objective of the study was to find the association of vaccination and infection with seropositivity in the blood donors. Methods: All blood donor samples were screened for the presence of IgG antibodies against SARS CoV2 spike (S1) protein. Anti-SARS CoV2 IgG antibody status, demographic data, history of past COVID infection, and vaccination of all eligible donors in the study period were collected. Seroprevalence was calculated as the percentage of total number of donors positive for anti-SARS CoV2 IgG antibodies. Month-wise seroprevalence was also calculated and analyzed. Results: Out of 1456 donors, 874 were found to be seropositive, resulting in a seroprevalence of 60%. Seroprevalence was found to be 38.3% and 77%, respectively, in the months of April and May 21. Seropositivity was 100%, 92%, 79%, and 54% in those with a history of both COVID infection and vaccination, vaccination only, infection only, and no history of vaccination or infection, respectively. Conclusion: Blood donors represent an easy access to seroprevalence studies and need to be tapped at the national level to obtain a temporal picture of the COVID-19 situation to guide healthcare policies, mark regions where vaccination drives need to be intensified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: ICMR conducted a multicentric trial "PLACID" that allowed COVID convalescent plasma (CCP) as an experimental drug for the management of moderate COVID-19 disease and the authors' institute was one of the participating centers. The efficacy of CCP in COVID-19 is still debatable. However, unlike therapeutic efficacy, there is not enough literature on issues and challenges faced by health-care institutions in donor recruitment, and the entire vein-to-vein process and approach of CCP transfusion. The authors would like to share their experiences, challenges faced, and their mitigation during the course of donor recruitment, screening, testing, apheresis donation, storage, inventory management, and issue and transfusion of CCP including the regulatory provisions, as their evolution. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted over a period of 7 months at a large tertiary care hospital in north India. Based on ICMR guidelines, the study analyzed the screening process and donation from all consecutive potential CCP donors. The study also identified various issues and challenges faced by the institute and how they were resolved. Results: Prospective donors registered at the blood center were 843. Majority were males (96.6%), first-time CCP donors (93%), age interval 31-45 years (52.2%), who had a history of mild COVID-19 symptoms (86.9%), and were home-quarantined (83.8%). The most common blood group was B positive (50.6%). Only 6.3% of donors were deferred due to the absence of anti-COVID-19 antibodies. Of 843, 705 selected CCP donors donated 1488 CCP units and six donors (0.8%) experienced mild adverse reactions. Challenges faced by authors included donor recruitment, lack of regulatory approval for plasmapheresis, revisions of COVID-specific selection criteria, no "anti-COVID-19 antibody" kit, and CCP inventory management. Conclusion: This study provides real-world comprehensive data on process management of CCP donors and their donations. This understanding of the process, its challenges, and their mitigation could be a template for any possible future pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Indian studies on evaluation of storage lesions in red blood cells (RBCs) are either limited to 21 or 28 days or have evaluated limited parameters for 42 days. Moreover, issue of transfusion of "fresh" versus "old" RBC is far from settled. The study serially assesses, up to 42 days, in vitro and in vivo RBC storage lesion parameters, including di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) leaching and its comparison with published literature. Methods: The study serially assessed in vitro RBC storage lesion parameters including potassium, lactate, glucose, pH, supernatant hemoglobin, percentage-hemolysis, and DEHP leaching of RBC unit during storage till 42 days. The study also evaluated in vivo recovery of potassium after transfusion of "older" RBC. Results: Serial monitoring of in vitro biochemical parameters showed increase in potassium, lactate, supernatant Hb, and hemolysis% and reduction in glucose and pH. DEHP content of the RBC bag was within no-observed adverse effect limit on days 42. Measurement of serum potassium after transfusion of "older" RBC unit revealed that levels of potassium were within normal limit in all four patients. Sterility testing done on days 42 was negative for all 24 bags. Conclusion: Development of storage lesions is inevitable. Appropriate storage limits the RBC lesions to within normal limits. The increase in potassium, lactate, or hemolysis consequent to aging of blood has little clinical significance in routine transfusion practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]