Search

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: The new cell separators make it simple to collect single donor platelets (SDP), although the platelet yield may vary depending on the cell separator used and donor-related clinical and laboratory variables. AIMS: This study aims to study the factors affecting SDP yield and corrected count increment (CCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was carried out at a tertiary care facility in northern India, over 4 years (May 2017-April 2020), data were retrieved and analyzed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Categorical variables were presented as proportions, while continuous variables were presented as mean with standard deviation, P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: We found a positive correlation between predonation platelet count and yield (r = 0.243, P = 0.000). No such significant correlation was found with Hb concentration (r = 0.025, P = 0.720), age (r = 0.016, P = 0.820), sex (r = -0.038, P = 0.584), and weight (r = -0.025, P = 0.714). Maximum platelet yield and minimum time were seen with Trima. Only 39.3% (33/84) meet the 24 h CCI. The majority of patients did not meet the desired CCI could be due to the patients' clinical condition. On logistic regression, we found a significant association of 24 h CCI with product yield (odds ratio [OR] = 0.168, P = 0.015) and posttransfusion platelet count (OR = 0.454, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The only donor-related factor that influences yield is predonation platelet count, whereas 24 h CCI may depend on the clinical status of the patient and yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & objectives Red cell concentrates (RCCs) must comply with applicable quality control (QC) standards to achieve the desired therapeutic effect in the recipient. In this study, we assessed the effect of change in the component preparation process on the quality of RCCs and their compliance with different QC standards. Methods A retrospective analysis of data for QC testing of RCCs over a period of 10 years, (from 2009 to 2019), was undertaken. QC testing parameters [volume, haematocrit (Hct), haemoglobin (Hb) content, white blood cell (WBC) content and percentage (%) haemolysis] were used to assess compliance with three national and three international QC standards. Linear regression analysis was done to assess the influence of donor variables. Results Data from 5,218 RCC units was included in the analysis. A majority (>50%) of RCCs prepared did not meet the three national QC standards either for volume or for Hct. The criteria for volume, Hct and Hb content, as defined in different international standards, were fulfilled by a majority (>75%) of RCCs evaluated. RCCs prepared by the buffy coat method had overall better compliance with QC standards compared to the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) method. The method of component preparation was found to influence Hb content, WBC content and percentage haemolysis. Male gender was associated with better Hb content. Interpretation & conclusions RCC prepared at our centre was found to have better compliance with international QC criteria compared to national standards. There is a need to reconsider the current national QC criteria for red cells with due consideration to the volume of whole blood collected and the method used for RCC preparation.