Post-donation information management.

ABSTRACT

Post-donation information (PDI) can be defined as any information provided by the donor or other source following a donation, that, had it been known to the blood establishment during the selection process, would have resulted in the donor's deferral. PDI reflects the shortcomings, limitations and complexity of the donor selection process. Knowledge of the causes of PDI events, their types and frequency, is a prerequisite not only for their effective management, but also for the implementation of measures to improve the selection process and the safety of donated blood. Managing PDI requires a considerable investment of time and close collaboration between the various stakeholders involved in this process. Despite its regular occurrence and the fact that PDI points to a possible problem of blood safety, very few studies have been published so far, mostly by US and Canadian authors. This review article aims at collecting and discussing available information on all aspects of PDI management, with particular reference to European experiences.