Background/Case Studies: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus changed the daily operations of donor centers across the nation. Masking and limiting donor refreshment (food and beverages) while donating became widespread precautions to stop the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 infection within the donor center. Donor refreshment during the prolonged apheresis collection process mitigates fluid loss and lowers the risk of DAE. The DAE rate of the platelet and plasma apheresis donor population before and after COVID-19 precautions were compared to assess for any change in donor safety risk from these precautions.
Study
Design/Methods: A two-year pre-precaution period from 2018-2019 where donor refreshment was routine during apheresis collection and a two-year COVID-19 precaution period from 2021-2022 where masking was required, and no donor refreshment was allowed during apheresis collection were selected. For each period, total collections, total DAE, total unique donors, and total unique donors with a DAE were obtained. For the study DAE is defined as only citrate reactions and vasovagal reactions. DAE rates were compared between periods using a Chi-square test with Yates’ continuity correction with a statistical significance cut-off of p< 0.05.
Results/Findings: During the pre-precaution period, 11159 total collections from 1495 unique donors experienced 20 DAE from 17 unique donors resulting in 1.16% of unique donors having a DAE episode. During the precaution period, 13147 total collections from 1830 unique donors experienced 33 DAE from 30 unique donors, resulting in a 1.64% of unique donors having a DAE episode (see Table 1). Conclusions: Although there was a 42% relative increase in DAE rates, this increase was not statistically significant and apheresis donors continued to have low DAE rates overall. The lack of significant change may have been influenced by communication to these donors to hydrate and eat well before their donations. Furthermore, the apheresis donor pool disproportionately contains seasoned donors with high repeat donation rates as opposed to first time donors who have higher DAE rates. During a pandemic, it may be considered appropriate and safe for donors to continue masking and restricting refreshment during an apheresis donation.
Importance of research: Masking and limiting donor refreshment (food and beverages) while donating became widespread precautions to stop the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 infection within the donor center. Donor refreshment during the prolonged apheresis collection process mitigates fluid loss and lowers the risk of donor adverse events. This study evaluated if during a pandemic, it may be considered appropriate and safe for donors to continue masking and restricting refreshment during an apheresis donation.
