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INTRODUCTION: Although coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic does not result in increased blood needs, blood supply can be considerably compromised due to the unavailability of blood donors. The objective was to share our experience about blood donation patterns and concerns on blood safety during COVID-19 pandemic in India.METHODS: This was a retrospective study of approximately 4.5 months of data including both lockdown period (LD) and LD phases. LD phase was further subdivided into four phases of varying durations. Data of blood collected and various reasons for deferral of prospective donors were analyzed. The effectiveness of mitigation strategies adopted to maintain adequate blood inventory was also assessed. Events in transfusion services during the LD were compared with the pre-LD (P-LD) phase.RESULTS: The mean collection per day for WB and SDP was reduced by 70% and 50%, respectively, compared to pre-LD. Approximately 23% of WB and 27% of SDPs were collected on an appointment basis during LD. The proportion of indoor voluntary blood donation was increased by 7–8 times during LD compared to P-LD. Approximately 2% of total prospective donors screened were deferred after thermal scanning and due to risk of being infected with COVID-19. Donor deferrals due to high-risk behavior increased significantly in the LD phase compared to P-LD period.CONCLUSION: COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on the pattern of blood donation and blood safety. Transfusion services must develop appropriate plans to respond efficiently to various challenges posed by such pandemics.

Background and Objectives: Rate of blood transfusion is considerably low in transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). We follow type and crossmatch (TC) policy in TURP. The objective was to assess the suitability of TC policy along with the impact of preoperative (preop) prostate weight and hemoglobin (Hb) on the pattern of blood ordering (whether demand for TC was sent or not). Methods: Retrospective analysis of TURP patients was done from 2014 to 2017. Patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of whether the demand for TC was sent or not. The age, preop prostate weight and preop Hb of patients where demand for TC sent was compared with patients where TC demand was not sent. Crossmatch to transfusion ratio (Crossmatch to transfusion ratio C/T ratio), Transfusion probability (%T) and Transfusion index (TI) were calculated. Results: Among the total 92 TURP patients, 42.4% (39/92) had TC samples sent preoperatively. Only three patients (3.2%, 3/92) required transfusion intraoperatively. CT ratio was 23.6, %T was 7.6% and TI was 0.07. Preop prostate weight and Hb were significantly higher and lower, respectively, for the group where request for TC was sent. Transfusion probability was also higher for this group. Conclusion: The blood utilization indices show the inadequate utilization of blood and that TC policy is unnecessary. Type and screen policy can be used for patients with large prostate and/or low Hb while type and hold would be appropriate for rest of the patients. Change in pretransfusion policy would reduce workforce and reagent wastage along with efficient inventory management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]