A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF ADVERSE EVENTS IN BLOOD DONORS FROM NAVI MUMBAI

BACKGROUND: The safety and sufficiency of blood supply is dependent on the altruism of healthy donors, to provide blood. These donors get exposed to potential risk of discomfort, complications, and rarely injury from the collection procedure. All medical procedures including blood donation carry some risk of adverse events (AE). Although blood donation is generally safe, approximately of 2-6 % of donors experience complications, mostly mild, that resolve promptly but are still unpleasant for donors, and blood services have an obligation to minimize them. The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency and severity of AE's occurring in whole blood donors, especially in outdoor camps, and to suggest measures to minimize them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a five year retrospective study on whole blood donors (2008-2012). Our blood collection is mainly in camps by voluntary blood donors. Donations in camps: voluntary- 8992(81.2%). Donations in blood bank: voluntary 831(7.53%), replacement 1211(10.97%). RESULTS : Overall 258 adverse events occurred in a total of 11034 donors, resulting in an adverse event rate of 2.33%. Most common AE was pre- syncopal or vasovagal reaction (72.86%). Syncopal minor reactions associated with transient loss of consciousness comprised 14.3%. Severe AE's formed a very small fraction accounting for 1.16%. CONCLUSION: AE analysis helps in identifying the donors at risk and adopting environmentally appropriate measures to reduce risk and improve donor satisfaction .