Management of hemotherapy services in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. / Gestão dos serviços hemoterápicos no contexto da pandemia de COVID-19.

This study aimed to analyze the management of hemotherapy services (HS) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of municipal managers in different regions of Brazil. A qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews was applied to HS managers in the three Brazilian capitals, from different regions of Brazil, during the period between September 2021 and April 2022. The textual content of the interviews was submitted to lexicographic textual analysis using the free access software, Iramuteq. The managers' perceptions resulted from the descending hierarchical classification (DHC) analysis, which generated six classes: availability of resources for the development of work; installed capacity of services; strategies and challenges for attracting blood donors; risks and worker protection; measures for crisis management; and communication strategies for the adhesion of candidates for donation. The analysis highlighted several strategies used by the management, as well as pointed out limits and challenges for HS organization and management, exacerbated in the context of the pandemic.

Estudo que teve por objetivo analisar a gestão dos serviços hemoterápicos (SH) no contexto da pandemia de COVID-19, na perspectiva de gestores de municípios de diferentes regiões do Brasil. Pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa com entrevistas semiestruturadas aplicadas a gestores dos SH das três capitais brasileiras de diferentes regiões do Brasil, no período de setembro de 2021 a abril de 2022. O conteúdo textual das entrevistas foi submetido à análise textual lexicográfica a partir do uso do software Iramuteq, de acesso gratuito. As percepções dos gestores resultaram da análise da classificação hierárquica descendente (CHD), que gerou seis classes: disponibilidade de recursos para o desenvolvimento do trabalho; capacidade instalada dos serviços; estratégias e desafios para captação de doadores de sangue; riscos e proteção dos trabalhadores; medidas para gestão da crise; estratégias de comunicação para a adesão de candidatos para doação. A análise evidenciou diversas estratégias utilizadas pela gestão, bem como apontou limites e desafios para a organização e a gestão de serviços hemoterápicos, agudizados no contexto da pandemia.

Gestão dos serviços hemoterápicos no contexto da pandemia de COVID-19 / Management of hemotherapy services in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Resumo Estudo que teve por objetivo analisar a gestão dos serviços hemoterápicos (SH) no contexto da pandemia de COVID-19, na perspectiva de gestores de municípios de diferentes regiões do Brasil. Pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa com entrevistas semiestruturadas aplicadas a gestores dos SH das três capitais brasileiras de diferentes regiões do Brasil, no período de setembro de 2021 a abril de 2022. O conteúdo textual das entrevistas foi submetido à análise textual lexicográfica a partir do uso do software Iramuteq, de acesso gratuito. As percepções dos gestores resultaram da análise da classificação hierárquica descendente (CHD), que gerou seis classes: disponibilidade de recursos para o desenvolvimento do trabalho; capacidade instalada dos serviços; estratégias e desafios para captação de doadores de sangue; riscos e proteção dos trabalhadores; medidas para gestão da crise; estratégias de comunicação para a adesão de candidatos para doação. A análise evidenciou diversas estratégias utilizadas pela gestão, bem como apontou limites e desafios para a organização e a gestão de serviços hemoterápicos, agudizados no contexto da pandemia.

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the management of hemotherapy services (HS) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of municipal managers in different regions of Brazil. A qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews was applied to HS managers in the three Brazilian capitals, from different regions of Brazil, during the period between September 2021 and April 2022. The textual content of the interviews was submitted to lexicographic textual analysis using the free access software, Iramuteq. The managers' perceptions resulted from the descending hierarchical classification (DHC) analysis, which generated six classes: availability of resources for the development of work; installed capacity of services; strategies and challenges for attracting blood donors; risks and worker protection; measures for crisis management; and communication strategies for the adhesion of candidates for donation. The analysis highlighted several strategies used by the management, as well as pointed out limits and challenges for HS organization and management, exacerbated in the context of the pandemic.

Impact of COVID-19 on the efficacy of meeting the transfusion demand by a Brazilian blood banks network.

One of the effects of the pandemic in the hemotherapy services was the reduction in the attendance of blood donors and production of blood components. It is relevant to investigate how the capacity to meet the demand for blood components was affected, especially in blood centers located in the regions most affected by the pandemic, such as Brazil. This study aimed to describe the impact of the pandemic on the capacity to meet the demand for different types of blood components by a Brazilian blood center in 2020, compared to the historical series of 2016-2019 and to discuss the measures adopted to mitigate the effects of the pandemic. Retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out with comparative analysis of the blood components requested and attended in the period from 2016 to 2020. Data analysis was performed by Graphpad Prism 5. The spread of COVID-19 cases since March 2020 had impact on the blood components production and transfusions. The reduction in the production of blood components was observed prior to the restriction measures, in March 2020. In comparison to 2016-2019, there was a reduction in the number of transfusions performed in all months of 2020. The results suggest that the measures adopted in a Brazilian blood center to face the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in reasonable regularity in the supply of blood components. The sharing of experiences between blood banks in different regions, social and epidemiological contexts can contribute to the improvement of strategies to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in transfusion medicine.

Impact of COVID-19 in the attendance of blood donors and production on a Brazilian Blood Centres.

BACKGROUND: One of the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is the risk of shortages in Blood Centres. OBJECTIVES: To verify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the blood donor's attendance and production of blood components in Fundação Hemominas, a Brazilian public institution was formed by several Blood Centres. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out from January to June 2020. Data collected were compared to a historical series from 2016 to 2019. RESULTS: The study showed a reduction in the attendance of blood donors, whole blood collections and blood component production from March 2020, when the first case of COVID-19 was notified in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The results evidenced that Hemominas Blood Centres were affected in a very distinct way by the pandemic with a general mean reduction around 17% in attendance of blood donors and in production of blood components in the period of March to June. On the other hand, the return of blood donors rate increased. CONCLUSION: The reduction in blood donation during the pandemic period was significant, despite the measures adopted. Still, the recruitment of return donors appears to be an important measure to be considered to decrease the pandemic's effect on blood stocks.

O ciclo de produção do sangue e a transfusão: o que o médico deve saber / The production cycle of blood and transfusion: what the clinician should know

Desde a história da humanidade, o sangue foi associado ao conceito de vida. Entretanto, o uso inadequado do sangue e produtos sanguíneos aumenta o risco de complicações relacionadas à transfusão e eventos adversos para os destinatários. Também contribui para a escassez de produtos derivados do sangue e a possibilidade de não estarem disponíveis, quando necessário, para outros pacientes que deles realmente necessitem. Objetivo: este estudo visa a descrever o histórico da transfusão de sangue e a maneira correta de se utilizar a hemoterapia, visando esclarecer, aos estudantes de Medicina e residentes, bem como médicos interessados, a importância desse conhecimento ao se prescrever um hemocomponente. Metodologia: os tópicos descritos correspondem ao sumário do conhecimento ministrado durante os estágios oferecidos pela Fundação Hemominas para estudantes e residentes de Medicina. Conclusão: a atuação do médico está inegavelmente ligada à concepção científica de seus fundamentos, obtidos, gradual e continuamente, desde o início da formação médica. Nessa perspectiva, melhor capacitação dos profissionais médicos e a elaboração de currículos educacionais, em conformidade com os mais recentes avanços em hemoterapia, podem melhorar o conhecimento médico relativo à medicina transfusional.

Since the history of mankind, blood has been associated with the concept of life. However, improper use of blood and blood products increases the risk of transfusion-related complications and adverse events to recipients. It also contributes to the shortage of blood products and possibility of unavailability to patients in real need. Objective: this study aims to describe the history of blood transfusion and correct way of using hemotherapy,aiming to clarify to medical students and residents, as well as interested doctors, the importance of this knowledge when prescribing a hemo-component. Methodology: the topics described correspond to the summary of knowledge taught during the training courses offered by the Hemominas Foundation for medical students and residents. Conclusion: the doctor?s performance is undeniably linked to the scientific conception ofhis fundamentals gradually and continuously obtained since the beginning of medical training. In this perspective, a better training of medical professionals and development of educational curricula in accordance with the most recent advances in hematology can improve the medical knowledge related to transfusion medicine.

Teaching transfusion medicine: current situation and proposals for proper medical training.

The current curricula in medical schools and hospital residence worldwide lack exposure to blood transfusion medicine, and require the reformulation of academic programs. In many countries, training in blood transfusion is not currently offered to medical students or during residency. Clinical evidence indicates that blood transfusions occur more frequently than recommended, contributing to increased risk due to this procedure. Therefore, the rational use of blood and its components is essential, due to the frequent undesirable reactions, to the increasing demand of blood products and the cost of the process. Significant improvements in knowledge of and skills in transfusion medicine are needed by both students and residents. Improvements are needed in both background knowledge and the practical application of this knowledge to improve safety. Studies prove that hemovigilance has an impact on transfusion safety and helps to prevent the occurrence of transfusion-related adverse effects. To ensure that all these aspects of blood transfusion are being properly addressed, many countries have instituted hospital transfusion committees. From this perspective, the interventions performed during the formation of medical students and residents, even the simplest, have proven effective in the acquisition of knowledge and medical training, thereby leading to a reduction in inappropriate use of blood. Therefore, we would like to emphasize the importance of the exposure of medical students and residents to blood services and transfusion medicine in order for them to acquire adequate medical training, as well as to discuss some changes in the current medical curricula regarding transfusion medicine that we judge critical.

Teaching transfusion medicine: current situation and proposals for proper medical training

The current curricula in medical schools and hospital residence worldwide lack exposure to blood transfusion medicine, and require the reformulation of academic programs. In many countries, training in blood transfusion is not currently offered to medical students or during residency. Clinical evidence indicates that blood transfusions occur more frequently than recommended, contributing to increased risk due to this procedure. Therefore, the rational use of blood and its components is essential, due to the frequent undesirable reactions, to the increasing demand of blood products and the cost of the process. Significant improvements in knowledge of and skills in transfusion medicine are needed by both students and residents. Improvements are needed in both background knowledge and the practical application of this knowledge to improve safety. Studies prove that hemovigilance has an impact on transfusion safety and helps to prevent the occurrence of transfusion-related adverse effects. To ensure that all these aspects of blood transfusion are being properly addressed, many countries have instituted hospital transfusion committees. From this perspective, the interventions performed during the formation of medical students and residents, even the simplest, have proven effective in the acquisition of knowledge and medical training, thereby leading to a reduction in inappropriate use of blood. Therefore, we would like to emphasize the importance of the exposure of medical students and residents to blood ser- vices and transfusion medicine in order for them to acquire adequate medical training, as well as to discuss some changes in the current medical curricula regarding transfusion medicine that we judge critical.