Document Detail


Blood center practice and education for blood donors with anemia.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20977487     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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.
Authors:
Meghan Delaney; Kenneth G Schellhase; Staci Young; Susan Geiger; Arlene Fink; Alan E Mast
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2010-10-26
Journal Detail:
Title:  Transfusion     Volume:  51     ISSN:  1537-2995     ISO Abbreviation:  Transfusion     Publication Date:  2011 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-05-06     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0417360     Medline TA:  Transfusion     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  929-36     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
© 2010 American Association of Blood Banks.
Affiliation:
From the Puget Sound Blood Center, Seattle, Washington; the Department of Family and Community Medicine and the Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; the National Anemia Action Council, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; the University of California at Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California; and the Blood Center of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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