Blood Donors are the backbone of a Blood Transfusion service.
Ensuring the safety of Blood Donors is of utmost importance as is
ensuring safe blood to the recipient. Since blood donors are altruistic
volunteers, they should be protected as much as possible from adverse
reactions. The reality that many first time donors do not return for
donation can be explained by the occurrence of adverse reactions. Blood
donor’s physical experience affects the blood donor return rate . Efforts
should be taken to retain adequate number of repeat donors. If the donors
are ensured of a pleasant experience they will be motivated to become
regular repeat donors. This can be accomplished by way of preventing
adverse reactions in the donor.
Preventive strategies to avoid adverse reactions in blood donors
should include: a) proper elicitation of donor history like time since last
meal, nature of their occupation & whether they had a good sleep on the
day prior to donation b) proper screening procedures like ensuring
adequate hydration of donors c) reassuring first time donors d)
providing a comfortable couch at camp sites & proper phlebotomy
techniques by an experienced phlebotomist e) ensuring adequate
ventilation and a comfortable environment (preferably 24*C ) f)
observing the donor for atleast 10 min post donation while he still
remains on the donor couch and then sending him for refreshments and
g) giving post donation instructions and h)donors experiencing adverse
reactions should be moved to a separate area so that other donors do not
get demotivated. At no point of time should a Donor be left unattended
