Effect of double dose plateletpheresis on target yield and donor platelet recovery

Abstract Introduction The demand for apheresis platelets has increased in the recent past and the shrinking donor pool has shifted the trend to collection of double-dose or higher yield of platelets. Objective The present study aimed to determine the effect of double-dose plateletpheresis on the target yield and donor platelet recovery. Methods The study was conducted on 100 healthy plateletpheresis donors, 50 of whom were in the study group, which underwent double-dose plateletpheresis (DDP), and 50 of whom were in the control group for single-donor plateletpheresis. Pre- and post-procedure samples of donors were subjected to a complete blood count. The DDP product was sampled for platelet yield and then split into two parts. Platelet yield, collection efficiency, collection rate, recruitment factor and donor platelet loss were calculated. Results The mean platelet yield in the SDP was 4.09 ± 1.15 × 1011 and in the DDP, 5.93 ± 1.04 × 1011. There was a significant correlation between the pre-donation platelet count and platelet yield. The total of platelets processed for the SDP were 5.42 ± 1.08 × 1011 and for the DDP, 7.94 ± 0.77 × 1011. The collection efficiency was 71.93 ± 25.14% in the SDP and 72.94 ± 16.28% in the DDP, while the collection rates were 0.78 × 1011 and 0.94 × 1011 per minute, respectively. The average recruitment factor observed was 0.98 in the SDP, while it was 0.99 in the DDP. The mean platelet loss observed in the SDP was 35.55 ± 8.53% and in the DDP, 37.76 ± 8.65%. Conclusion The double-dose plateletpheresis supplements the platelet inventory in developing countries where the apheresis donor pool is limited. It is prudent to ensure stringent donor selection criteria for donors donating high-yield platelet products, thus enhancing donor safety and retention.

Factors affecting voluntary blood donations among adults in Metro Manila, Philippines, as a basis for policy improvement on donor recruitment

Background@#Blood donation practice in the Philippines is low despite numerous efforts to recruit potential donors and increase blood supply.@*Objectives@#This study aimed to explore the sociodemographic profile of potential donors and their perceived level of knowledge, motivators, and hindrances on blood donation practice to recommend improvements in policies and strategies regarding blood donation recruitment.@*Methods@#A descriptive study design was utilized to attain the objectives of the study. A piloted questionnaire was floated through various social media platforms to gather data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's product-moment correlation.@*Results@#We included 260 Metro Manila residents, 18 to 65 years old and without conditions that merited permanent deferral in blood donation. Overall, the respondents had an adequate perceived level of knowledge (x̄ = 3.13, SD = 0.70) on blood donation but the lowest level of knowledge on the interval between successive blood donations (x̄ = 2.71, SD = 1.04). Furthermore, respondents were considerably motivated to donate blood (x̄ = 2.67, SD = 0.42) mainly due to relatives and friends requiring blood (x̄ = 3.73, SD = 0.60), and have minimal discernment of being discouraged from blood donation (x̄ = 2.09, SD = 0.48) mainly due to time constraints (x̄ = 3.23, SD = 0.78). Moreover, there is a significant but low inverse correlation (r = -0.151, p = 0.015) between age and motivation, suggesting younger individuals have more motivation to donate blood. Thus, policies and strategies that target young donors are highly suggested.@*Conclusion@#Poor blood donation practices in the Philippines suggest recalibration of policies and strategies by targeting young individuals and showcasing altruism to improve donor recruitment. Moreover, it is recommended to strategically establish blood service facilities in accessible areas with flexible operating hours to accommodate potential donors with hectic schedules.

Las donaciones de sangre en Cuba desde una perspectiva histórica / Blood donations in Cuba from a historical perspective

Introducción: Las donaciones de sangre constituyen una actividad sanitaria de importancia estratégica, su historia ha evolucionado junto a la del sistema de salud cubano. Objetivo: Describir el comportamiento de las donaciones de sangre desde una perspectiva histórica, según las etapas del desarrollo del sistema sanitario cubano. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación por el método histórico-lógico sobre los antecedentes históricos y la actualidad de las donaciones de sangre. La información se obtuvo mediante la entrevista y las revisiones bibliográfica y documental. Resultados: Durante la seudorepública se fundaron las primeras instituciones de salud para las donaciones y transfusiones de sangre, su administración se fundamentaba en las recolecciones provenientes de los donantes remunerados y familiares. En el período revolucionario se logró un programa de sangre organizado e integrado al sistema de salud, por primera vez unificado y de alcance nacional, con la participación coordinada entre el personal del nivel primario de atención y las organizaciones sociales. Esto permitió el creciente y considerable incremento de la disponibilidad de sangre y el desarrollo de la medicina transfusional, las especialidades médico-quirúrgicas y la industria médico-farmacéutica cubanas. Además, se consolidó la práctica de donar sangre como un acto voluntario. Conclusiones: La donación de sangre en Cuba constituye una actividad trazadora que muestra el desarrollo del sistema sanitario cubano en sus diferentes etapas y es reflejo de la voluntad política del gobierno, el pueblo y sus instituciones(AU)

Introduction: Blood donations are health care activity of a strategic importance. Their history has evolved together with the Cuban health system. Objective: To describe the behaviour of blood donations from a historical perspective according to the development stages of the Cuban health system. Method: It was carried out a research by the logic-historical method on the historical background and the current data on blood donations. The information was collected through interviews and the bibliographic and documentary reviews. Results: During the pseudo-republic times, the first institutions for blood donations and transfusions were created, and their managements was supported with the collections of paid donors and relatives. In the Revolution period, it was achieved an organized blood donation program which was integrated to the health system and for the fist time unified and of national scope, with coordinated participation between the staff of the first level of care and the social organizations. This allowed the significant increase of the availability of blood and the development of the Cuban transfusion medicine, medical-surgical specialties and medical-pharmaceutical industry. In addition, it was strengthen the practice of blood donation as a voluntary act. Conclusions: Blood donation in Cuba is a trace activity that shows the development of the Cuban health system in its different stages and it is a reflection of the political will of the Government, the people and the institutions(AU)

Blood donor candidates and blood donations performed between 2005 and 2019 in Minas Gerais, Brazil: A time series analysis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Time series studies related to blood donor candidates and blood donations are rare in Brazil. Population aging suggests a better understanding of the context related to blood donor candidates and blood donations performed. Objective: The monthly series of candidates eligible to donate blood and actual donations between 2005 and 2019 at the Hemominas Foundation, Minas Gerais, Brazil, were described and analyzed. Methods: Ten time series were constructed of blood donor candidates and blood donations. Each series covered the period from January 2005 to December 2019. The stationarity of the series was verified by the unit root test; the data distribution, by the Shapiro-Wilk test; the trend, by the Cox-Stuart test, and; the seasonality, by the Fisher's test (significance levels of 10% for the first test and 5% for the last three). Results: All series were identified as non-stationary and presented trend and seasonality components. The rate of blood donor candidates and the rate of blood donations performed evidenced a positive upward trend until the last two-year analysis, when a drop occurred, from 1.75% and 1.42% in 2017 to 1.64% and 1.35% in 2019, respectively. The rate of blood donations trended downward, from 0.054% in 2005 to 0.046% in 2019. The proportion of unsuitable or unretained candidates reduced. Conclusion: The study emphasized the need to stimulate blood donation by specific groups and increase ways to reduce the demand for blood components through the implementation of programs that expand alternatives to blood transfusions.

Streptococcus gallolyticus bacteremia detected in apheresis platelets and its link to colonic neoplasms

Introduction: Streptococcus gallolyticus belongs to theStreptococcus bovis complex, and it is a common bacterium colonizing the gastrointestinal tract. Its presence in the blood may suggest an underlying pathology such as a colonic neoplasm. We report herein a case of S. bovis bacteremia in an apheresis platelet donor, review similar cases in the literature, and suggest a flowchart for the management of similar cases in other blood donation centers. Case Presentation: A 61-year-old subject presented to a Hemotherapy Service to make an apheresis platelet donation. On quality control testing, S. gallolyticus was identified in hemoculture, and the donor was called back for follow-up. At first, a new hemoculture was requested, and the patient was referred to the outpatient department of infectious diseases to further investigate pathologies associated with S. gallolyticus. A subsequent colonoscopy investigation evidenced a polypoid structure in the ascending colon. Pathology reported the resected specimen as a low-grade tubular adenoma. Conclusion: Isolation of S. bovis in blood products requires further investigation and should be managed with precision by Hemotherapy Services. A standard protocol for the management of asymptomatic patients with S. bovis positive hemoculture, with the requests of a new blood culture, a colonoscopy, and an echocardiogram is crucial, as it may ensure early diagnosis and reduce morbidity and mortality. (AU)

Melhores práticas no cuidado durante a doação de plaquetas por aférese: protocolo de revisão de escopo / Best care practices during apheresis platelet donation: a scoping review protocol / Mejores prácticas de atención durante la donación de plaquetas por aféresis: un protocolo de scoping review

OBJETIVO: mapear, na literatura científica, as melhores práticas na gestão do cuidado, durante o processo de doação de plaquetas por aférese. MÉTODO: esta revisão de escopo seguirá a metodologia proposta pelo Joanna Briggs, sendo norteada pela questão de pesquisa: Quais as melhores práticas na gestão do cuidado durante o processo de doação de plaquetas por aférese? Serão considerados artigos originais, independente do desenho do estudo; em português, inglês, francês e espanhol; entre os anos 2017 e 2021; que forneçam texto completo. Como critérios de exclusão: estudos relacionados à terapêutica de aférese plaquetária ou pesquisas que envolvam animais. Após seleção dos descritores, será realizada busca prévia nas bases MEDLINE, via PubMed, e CINAHL. Os dados selecionados para revisão serão exibidos no fluxograma PRISMA para revisões de escopo.

OBJECTIVE: to map, in the scientific literature, the best care practices during platelet donation by apheresis. METHOD: this scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute's framework, guided by the research question: What are the best care practices during platelet donation by apheresis? Original articles will be considered, regardless of the study design, in Portuguese, English, French, and Spanish, published from 2017 to 2021, with full text available. As exclusion criteria: studies related to platelet apheresis therapy or animal research. After selecting the descriptors, a previous search will be conducted in MEDLINE via PubMed and CINAHL. Studies selected for review will be displayed in the PRISMA flowchart for scoping reviews.

Blood donor app usage behaviour and perceptions: Considerations for a blood donation app

Background: South Africa often experiences critically low blood stock levels, making it vulnerable to blood shortages for everyday use and during times of crisis. There are over 3.5 billion smartphone users worldwide and, during 2019, app downloads were estimated at 204 billion. Considering that at least 51% of South Africans own a smartphone that can access the Internet and apps, it is clear that blood donation organisations in South Africa could benefit from engaging with the public through a mobile app. Objectives: This article aimed to determine whether South African blood donors' app usage behaviour and perceptions were conducive to introduce a blood donation app, and what these behaviours and perceptions could reveal, to support South African Blood Donation Organisations in their recruitment and engagement endeavours. Method: The research problem discussed in this article sought to highlight the app usage behaviour of blood donors, and their perceptions about a proposed blood donation app. Forming part of a larger sequential mixed-methods study, the data presented in this article were gathered through a quantitative online questionnaire involving 2154 South Africans respondents. Results: The findings revealed that the majority of respondents owned a smart device and that they used apps falling within the 'Communication' category. Of the respondents, 41% believed that a blood donation app will encourage younger South Africans to donate blood more regularly, whilst 25% of respondents were of the opinion that an app will motivate all South Africans to donate blood more often. Conclusion: The value of this research lies in the insight gained into the behaviour and perceptions of South African blood donors, which can inform the conceptualisation and design of a blood donation app, thereby improving its efficacy and subsequently supporting the strategy of employing such a technology to increase blood donation.

Knowledge and Attitude towards Blood Donation among Non Blood Donor Residents of Kuala Terengganu at Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Kuala Terengganu

@#Introduction: : Blood supply shortage is a worldwide problem including Malaysia. According to statistical data from 2011 to 2015, Terengganu which is one of the states in Malaysia has the lowest blood donation rate. The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitude score towards blood donation and their associated factors among nondonors of Kuala Terengganu. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire involving systematically random sampling of 320 nondonors attending Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah. Data were analysed using Multiple Logistic Regression and Pearson correlation. Results: The mean knowledge and attitude scores were 5.19 (1.87) and 70.79 (8.19), respectively. Sixty-four percent (64.69%) and 92.81% of the participants have good knowledge and attitude, respectively. Gender, education level, and occupation have a significant association with knowledge, while education level and occupation were found to be significantly associated with attitude. No significant association found between the knowledge and attitude level. Most reported barriers to blood donation were a refusal to give blood to other religion and race. The main source to acquire information pertaining to blood donation was mainly from social media. Conclusion: Refusal of giving blood to other religion and race is recognised as the main issue that hinders participants to donate their blood. Thus, proper education and aggressive promotion regarding blood donation are needed especially among the nondonor in this region of Malaysia

Surface judgments, profound questions: A homosexual male's Phlebotomy experience

Background and Objectives@#Two of the authors, one heterosexual and one homosexual, both voluntarily donated blood to a well-known health institution in the Philippines. As they were filling out the paperwork, one of the authors' attention was called by one of the questions in the form: “Nakipagtalik ka na ba sa iyong kauri?,” which can be literally translated as “Have you had sex with your own kind?”. This erroneously phrased question was the sole question interrogated and problematized in the study.@*Methodology@#Reviews of Standpoint Theory and the methodology associated with it and, in effect, used in the study, formed part of the critique, divided into individual narrations and interpretations by each author. A third co-author, a hematologist, lent her insight on the logistics and issues of phlebotomy. Institutional ethnography was brought to bear on the narratives@*Results and Conclusion@#This three-author collaboration is presented as a claim that an interdisciplinary approach may open new vistas to a phenomenon that has long existed but been ignored. Reviews of Standpoint Theory and curriculum planning for health professionals are recommended.

Protocolo de seguridad transfusional / transfusion safety protocol

La seguridad de los pacientes que reciben una transfusión sanguínea depende a partes iguales de la seguridad de los productos sanguíneos y de la seguridad del proceso de transfusión clínica, que abarca una serie de pasos interconectados como son la prescripción y el pedido de los productos sanguíneos; la identificación del paciente; la extracción y rotulado de las muestras sanguíneas del paciente; las pruebas de compatibilidad previas y el despacho de la sangre; la recogida y el transporte de las bolsas de sangre dentro del hospital; la manipulación de las bolsas de sangre en el área clínica; la administración de la sangre; la vigilancia de los pacientes; y el tratamiento de los eventos adversos relacionados con la transfusión. Cada año, el grupo más grande de los informes se refieren a los errores cometidos en el proceso de transfusión. En 2013, el 77,6% (2,148/2,767) de todos los informes reportaron algún tipo de error según el Informe Anual SHOT-Reino Unido. En el análisis de 220 incidentes donde se transfundieron componentes sanguíneos incorrectos demostró que los errores en el proceso de transfusión eran con frecuencia relacionados con la solicitud y la verificación en la cabecera del paciente. La transfusión sanguínea es un procedimiento de enfermería y obstetricia que requiere un conocimiento profundo de las bases fisiológicas y manejo meticuloso de la atención al paciente y la aplicación correcta de un protocolo, para prevenir serias complicaciones, inmediatas o tardías, que pueden presentarse