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The impact of donor ferritin testing on blood availability in Canada

The impact of donor ferritin testing on blood availability in Canada

Authors :
Sheila F. O'Brien
John T. Blake
Mindy Goldman
Source :
Vox sanguinisREFERENCES. 117(1)
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Iron depletion is a side effect of blood donation. Agencies have developed policies to test donors and to extend inter-donation intervals (IDIs) for individuals with low ferritin levels. Ferritin testing, however, has an impact on product availability due to longer IDIs and the effect of test results on donor behaviour. In this paper we apply a model to evaluate the impact of ferritin testing in the Canadian donor population on whole blood donations. MATERIALS AND METHODS A discrete event simulation was adopted for the study. The model represents a population of individuals that donate blood, are tested for ferritin levels, and may exit the system. Data for the simulation was derived from operational data, donor research studies from Canadian Blood Services and previously published sources. RESULTS Red cell collections will decline by at least 3.1% and could decline by as much as 19.2% after ferritin testing is put in place. Requirements for new donors could rise by as much as 36.0%. CONCLUSION The impact of ferritin testing on repeat donor behaviour, rather than extensions to the mandated inter-donation interval, is the largest factor influencing declines in whole blood donations. Because behaviour changes following the receipt of a low ferritin result, blood agencies must ensure that donors with low ferritin are motivated to modify their lifestyle and, when healthy, return to the donor pool.

Details

ISSN :
14230410
Volume :
117
Issue :
1
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Vox sanguinisREFERENCES
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....ca9072b32d8d1ede28deb0d0e942c5a1