Offering new and returned donors the option to give plasma: implications for donor retention and donor adverse events

Abstract

Background and Objectives In 2018, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood changed its plasmapheresis eligibility criteria to allow donors to donate plasma without the requirement of a prior successful whole blood donation. This study evaluated the impact of this policy change on donor retention and donor safety. Materials and Methods All donors who had attempted to give their first plasma or whole blood donation from January to June 2018 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Donor characteristics and adverse events were analysed for this index donation, and the cohort was followed for 18 months to analyse time to return, subsequent donation frequency and predictors of return. Results Male and younger donors provided a significantly greater proportion of first donation plasma than females and older donors. New donors who gave plasma had the highest rate of donor adverse events, including vasovagal reactions and phlebotomy injuries. Nevertheless, donor retention was not affected, with more new donors returning and at a greater subsequent donation frequency after a plasma donation compared to new donors donating whole blood. Firsttime plasma donors who had previously donated whole blood, however, had greater and quicker rates of return, and more subsequent donations. Conclusion Offering new donors the option to give plasma had a positive effect on donor return and subsequent donation frequency. Removing the requirement of a prior whole blood donation is a viable way to increase plasma collections although the combined effect of new donor status and plasmapheresis procedure on adverse event risk needs to be considered.

A review of whole‐blood donors' willingness, motives, barriers and interventions related to donating another substance of human origin

“…Intended donor return after first‐time plasma donation did not differ between new and experienced blood donors 16 . However, over 18‐months, new (16%) versus experienced (53%) blood donors had lower rates of return to plasma donation, and regular versus new blood donors had higher rates of return to donate plasma (M = 4.1 vs. 1.2 times) 18 …”

“…15 Behaviour 23% of blood donors extended their donation to plasma over 6-months. 17 Most first-time plasma donors were recruited from regular blood donors; [17][18][19] however, this may be due to sampling. 18,19 In two studies, <10% of new blood donors donated plasma over 6-months or 3-years.…”

“…17 Most first-time plasma donors were recruited from regular blood donors; [17][18][19] however, this may be due to sampling. 18,19 In two studies, <10% of new blood donors donated plasma over 6-months or 3-years. 17,19 Retention Intended donor return after first-time plasma donation did not differ between new and experienced blood donors.…”

“…16 However, over 18-months, new (16%) versus experienced (53%) blood donors had lower rates of return to plasma donation, and regular versus new blood donors had higher rates of return to donate plasma (M = 4.1 vs. 1.2 times). 18 3.3.2 | Stem cell (12 studies; 20-32 2004, 2011-2021) Willingness Approximately half of blood donors 29,30 to >80% 24,32 were willing to donate stem cells.…”

Prevention of Blood Donation-related Vasovagal Response by Applied Muscle Tension: a Meta-analysis

“…Over 800 million units of blood are collected worldwide each year, but only 38% of these are collected in developing countries. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Recruiting more blood donors is thus crucial to ensuring a clinical blood supply. However, many first-time donors, especially younger donors, often lack knowledge about blood donation and experience discomfort during the process, including dizziness, sweating, and pallor, which are collectively referred to as the vasovagal response (VVR).…”