Changes in blood center red blood cell distributions in the era of patient blood management: the trends for collection (TFC) study.

BACKGROUND: As patient blood management becomes more widespread, fewer red blood cell (RBC) units have been transfused. This multinational study evaluated changes in blood center RBC distributions. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Data on number and ABO and D groups of RBC distributions were obtained from several large American blood centers and national or provincial blood services (NPBS) from fiscal year (FY) 2010 through FY2014. Due to relatively larger numbers of distributions and differences in ABO and D groups between the Japanese Red Cross and the other NPBS, Japanese data were not included in distributions calculations. RESULTS: Data from seven American blood centers and eight NPBS were obtained. Overall, at both the American and the seven NPBS that were analyzed, there were declines in the number of RBC distributions between FY2010 and FY2014, 16.9 and 8.0%, respectively. The number of O- RBC distributions decreased by 9.0% at American blood centers but the proportion of RBC distributions that were O- increased by 9.3% during this time. The NPBS had 1.6% increase in O- RBC distributions and 10.5% increase in the proportion of O- distributions. The proportion of O+ distributions increased slightly over time at American centers (2.9%) while decreasing slightly (1.1%) at NPBS despite reductions in the absolute numbers of O+ distributions. Overall there was 2.6% decrease in the proportion of B+ and AB+ RBCs distributed and 13.6% absolute reduction in the number of these units distributed. CONCLUSION: Although overall RBC distributions have decreased over time, the proportion of O units has increased substantially.

Blood donors in England and North Wales: demography and patterns of donation.

BACKGROUND: As populations in the developed world shift toward an older and more ethnically diverse population, the challenges of recruiting and retaining sufficient donors to secure an adequate, safe supply of blood in the future will increase. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The study population included all first-time (n = 348,740) and repeat (n = 1,805,255) blood donors and their donations (n = 3,854,460) received by NHS Blood and Transplant during 2010 and 2011. Rates of new and repeat donors per 1000 population were estimated using Office for National Statistics 2011 population estimates. Factors associated with new blood donors returning within 6 months were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The majority (87.9%) of donors were white British; 5.5% were unknown; 3.4% white Irish or white other; and 3.2% composed of all other ethnic groups. The median ages of new and repeat donors in 2010 were 28.0 and 45.0 years, respectively, compared to 29.0 and 47.0 years in 2011. Rates of donation varied by ethnicity, ranging from 1.59 per 1000 among Asian Bangladeshi origin, compared to 22.1 per 1000 among white British origin. Approximately two in five (38.4%) new blood donors returned within 6 months and were more likely to be male and of white ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: Blood supply is impacted by numerous factors, including an aging population and an increasing population of migrant communities with lower donation rates. It is therefore critical that changes within the blood donor and wider population are monitored to inform donor recruitment and retention strategies.