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The Naughties–Recruiting Donors in the Decade of Donor Deferrals
Author(s) -
Wilson J.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
transfusion medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1365-3148
pISSN - 0958-7578
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3148.2006.00693_42.x
Subject(s) - deferral , medicine , blood donor , population , surgery , demography , environmental health , immunology , business , sociology , accounting
Since the millennium, there have been large cohorts of donors affected by blood donor selection criteria in Scotland: Previously Transfused Donors (implemented 2004, 4.9% of donor base affected) Blood Safety and Quality Regulations (implemented 2005, increased medical deferrals from 11.55% to 13.1%, contributing to the increase in total deferral rate – including Hb donor deferrals – from 16% to 20.5%) This means there is now a 26.3% increase in the deferral rate for new donors since 2003/04, and 38.5% increase in deferral rates for regular donors since 2003/04. UK blood services continue to prepare for a vCJD test, which is likely to further erode the donor base. This means the decade poses severe challenges in terms of donor recruitment. At the beginning of 2000, 5.8% of Scots were giving blood. By 2006, this figure has reduced to 5.2%. As we try and recruit further into the ‘nondonor’ population, segmentation analysis has identified increased barriers to giving blood. Further socio‐demographic analysis provides insight into characteristics blood donors, nondonors and lapsed donors may share. To stabilise the donor base after these deferrals, a through the line donor recruitment strategy has been implemented in Scotland, impacting on all these groups. Particularly effective methods include the expansion of a blood group specific and geographically specific direct mail campaign. A variety of traditional advertising techniques have merged with innovative new tactics. The performance of the donor recruitment strategy, and it's continued ability to cope with such massive donor base losses for the remainder of the decade will be evaluated.