Analysis of adverse blood donor reactions following whole blood donation in

Tertiary care hospital

Background: Healthy voluntary blood donors normally tolerate blood donation
very well, but occasionally adverse reactions of varying severity occur before,
during or at the end of blood collection. Donor reaction has the most negative
impact on the donor return rate.
Aim: Aim of this study was to analyze various adverse blood donor reactions and
determine the prevalence of their occurrence in whole blood donors.
Materials and methods:
This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 5 months
from September 2021 to January 2022 at Tirunelveli medical college hospital blood
bank and outdoor blood donation camps. Donors underwent screening and certified
to be fit by medical officer, before blood donation. They were observed for any
adverse reactions throughout the donation process. Blood was collected in 350/450
ml blood bags. The total donor population analyzed consisted of 3230 donors (3177
male & 53 female).
Results: The prevalence of adverse reactions to blood donation was 1.36%
(44/3230). Vasovagal reactions were the most frequent adverse reactions (35/44);
(79.55%) with 8.57% (3/35) donors experienced dizziness before phlebotomy
procedure. Following blood donation, 8.57% (3/35) progressed to syncope. 9.09%
(4/44) donors had vomiting after blood donation. 32 out of 44 blood donors were
first time donors (72.73%).
Conclusion: Donor safety is an integral component of blood transfusion safety
which needs to be strengthened. Implementation of several interventions to mitigate
adverse blood donor reactions has the potential to improve donor return rate.