(P-BB-9) Accuracy of Non-invasive Hemoglobin Assessment In Whole Blood and Apheresis Donors

Background/Case Studies: Blood donor hemoglobin (Hb) assessment is routinely performed using fingerstick methods. However, this procedure is painful and serves as a deterrent to potential blood donors. Non-invasive spot hemoglobin (SpHb) monitoring methods using portable, hand-held devices may be an easy and painless method of determining whether potential donors meet the minimum required Hb for donation. Furthermore, this approach could be used during donor recruitment to assess persons who are interested in donation but unsure if their Hb is above the required threshold.

Study

Design/Methods: We evaluated consecutive donors at single center using a handheld non-invasive SpHb monitoring device (Masimo Rad-67). Contemporaneously, fingerstick Hb assessment was performed (Hemocue 301) and samples were obtained for venous Hb (Siemens Advia 120 and Advia 2120i Hematology Analyzer Systems). In order to reduce inter-operator variability, all non-invasive SpHb readings were performed by a single individual. Donors provided written consent under IRB-approved protocols.

Results/Findings: 50 unique whole blood and apheresis donors were assessed (F=46%, M=54%). Most donors self-identified as Caucasian (70%) or Black/African-American (14%). There was a weak correlation between non-invasive Hb results and fingerstick Hb (R2= 0.27), and between non-invasive Hb results and venous Hb (R2= 0.09). Fingerstick and venous Hb showed a moderately strong correlation (R2= 0.54). Based on required minimum Hb thresholds for female (12.5 g/dL) and male donors (13.0 g/dL), there was 96% categorical agreement (passing vs non-passing Hb) between the non-invasive SpHb reading and fingerstick Hb results. There were two discordant results; 1 female donor with passing non-invasive SpHb reading (14.3 g/dL) and low fingerstick Hb (11.9 g/dL), and 1 male donor with low non-invasive SpHb (10.5 g/dL), and acceptable fingerstick (15.2 g/dL) and venous Hb (14.3 g/dL).

Conclusions: There was a high rate (96%) of categorical agreement between non-invasive SpHb and fingerstick Hb readings; however, there was a weak correlation between individual donor non-invasive SpHb results and fingerstick and venous Hb results. Further study in the blood donor population is required to determine whether non-invasive SpHb evaluation may be a helpful adjunct in donor screening and recruitment.

Importance of research: Fingerstick hemoglobin assessment is painful and serves as a deterrent to potential blood donors. Furthermore, many persons self-defer from blood because they assume their Hb is too low. Non-invasive spot Hb measured using a portable handheld device might represent an easy and painless method of evaluating Hb, which may assist in blood donor screening and may attract new donors to help address current blood shortages.