Faculty Collaboration Database

Blood center practice and education for blood donors with anemia. Transfusion 2011 May;51(5):929-36

Date

10/28/2010

Pubmed ID

20977487

Pubmed Central ID

PMC3608117

DOI

10.1111/j.1537-2995.2010.02919.x

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-79952469964 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   20 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Anemia is an early indicator of many diseases, yet blood donors with low hematocrit (Hct) often receive inadequate information about its medical importance. We sought to understand the types of information that are and should be provided to these donors.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two companion studies were performed. The first investigated blood center practices for care of donors with low Hct including deferral length, information provided, and cutoff values used when referring donors for medical attention. The second was a randomized prospective pilot study comparing behavior of deferred donors receiving an "older" pamphlet providing a list of iron-rich foods or a "newer" pamphlet providing descriptions of common causes of anemia and advice for seeking medical attention.

RESULTS: More than 70% of centers defer donors for 1 day. Only 6% defer donors for more than 2 weeks. Most centers provide written and/or verbal information about low Hct. Only 35% have a cutoff value defining significant anemia that requires additional medical attention. In the study of donors with low Hct, significant disease was identified within 3 months after deferral in 2 of 104 subjects: metastatic lung cancer and acute lymphocytic leukemia. Only donors receiving the newer pamphlet reported that it "definitely improved" their ability to speak with their doctor about anemia.

CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of anemia in blood donors may be an indicator of significant undiagnosed disease. There are wide variations in how centers care for and educate donors with anemia. Donors with anemia should be provided improved and consistent educational information.

Author List

Delaney M, Schellhase KG, Young S, Geiger S, Fink A, Mast AE

Authors

Kenneth G. Schellhase MD, MPH Adjunct Professor in the Family Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Staci A. Young PhD Sr Associate Dean, Associate Director, Professor in the Family Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anemia
Blood Donors
Female
Health Behavior
Health Care Surveys
Hematocrit
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Pamphlets
Patient Education as Topic
Pilot Projects
United States
Young Adult