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Variations in hemoglobin measurement and eligibility criteria across blood donation services are associated with differing low‐hemoglobin deferral rates: a BEST Collaborative study
Author(s) -
Zalpuri Saurabh,
Romeijn Bas,
Allara Elias,
Goldman Mindy,
Kamel Hany,
Gorlin Jed,
Vassallo Ralph,
Grégoire Yves,
Goto Naoko,
Flanagan Peter,
Speedy Joanna,
Buser Andreas,
Kutner Jose Mauro,
Magnussen Karin,
Castrén Johanna,
Culler Liz,
Sussmann Harry,
Prinsze Femmeke J.,
Belanger Kevin,
Compernolle Veerle,
Tiberghien Pierre,
Cardenas Jose Manuel,
Gandhi Manish J.,
West Kamille A.,
Lee CheukKwong,
James Sian,
Wells Deanne,
Sutor Laurie J.,
Wendel Silvano,
Coleman Matthew,
Seltsam Axel,
Roden Kimberly,
Steele Whitney R.,
Bohonek Milos,
Alcantara Ramir,
Di Angelantonio Emanuele,
den Hurk Katja
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/trf.15676
Subject(s) - deferral , medicine , hemoglobin , blood donor , donation , confidence interval , demography , anemia , immunology , business , accounting , economics , economic growth , sociology
BACKGROUND Determination of blood donor hemoglobin (Hb) levels is a pre‐requisite to ensure donor safety and blood product quality. We aimed to identify Hb measurement practices across blood donation services and to what extent differences associate with low‐Hb deferral rates. METHODS An online survey was performed among Biomedical Excellence for Safer Transfusion (BEST) Collaborative members, extended with published data. Multivariable negative‐binomial regression models were built to estimate adjusted associations of minimum donation intervals, Hb cut‐offs (high, ≥13.5 g/dL in men or ≥ 12.5 g/dL in women, vs. lower values), iron monitoring (yes/no), providing or prescribing iron supplementation (yes/no), post‐versus pre‐donation Hb measurement and geographical location (Asian vs. rest), with low‐Hb deferral rates. RESULTS Data were included from 38 blood services. Low‐Hb deferral rates varied from 0.11% to 8.81% among men and 0.84% to 31.85% among women. Services with longer minimum donation intervals had significantly lower deferral rates among both women (rate ratio, RR 0.53, 95%CI 0.33‐0.84) and men (RR 0.53, 95%CI 0.31‐0.90). In women, iron supplementation was associated with lower Hb deferral rates (RR 0.47, 95%CI 0.23‐0.94). Finally, being located in Asia was associated with higher low‐Hb deferral rates; RR 9.10 (95%CI 3.89‐21.27) for women and 6.76 (95%CI 2.45‐18.68) for men. CONCLUSION Differences in Hb measurement and eligibility criteria, particularly longer donation intervals and iron supplementation in women, are associated with variations in low‐Hb deferral rates. These insights could help improve both blood donation service efficiency and donor care.