blood donating dep., Zhejiang, China (People's Republic)
Background/Case Studies: The COVID-19 outbreak has brought great changes to the Healthcare System around the world.The dramatic decrease in the number of blood donors caused by COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest risk for blood services. It is crucial for components with short shelf life, such as apheresis platelets.So,the World Health Organization (WHO)recommended that the activity of blood donation should be closely monitored. This study aims to assess the major implications of COVID-19 on the apheresis donors’characteristics and status, in order to support blood services in seeking efficient ways to select and recruit apheresis donors in the face of similar future emergencies.
Study
Design/Methods: This retrospective study compares the apheresis donor’characteristics and status collected during the defined period of COVID-19 outbreak in 2020-2021 with the same period in 2017-2018. Data on platelets donations from 11 blood centres were collected as aggregates from Blood Management Information System version 3.0(BIS3.0).
Results/Findings: The number of apheresis donors and blood donations increased by 29.15% and 32.33% in 2020-2021 compared to the same time frame in 2017-2018, respectively. Also,this increase was greater in the regular donors,highly educated blood donors,female donors,and the age group of >45 years than the other categories. About 27.18% of the total apheresis donors chosed to make an appointment to donate platelets,which is a 23-fold increase over the same period.However, the percent change in the number of first-time apheresis donors, lowly educated blood donors,male donors, and those within the age group of 26−45 years was significantly lower in 2020-2021 than the same time frame in 2017-2018. Conclusions: The epidemic has changed the pattern and habits of platelet blood donation.Regular apheresis donors over 35 years old are the main force. In the face of similar future emergencies, We should focus on the appointment of regular blood donation.
Importance of research: We believe that this manuscript is valuable for all blood establishments,because we should learn from each past experience and collectively improve our preparedness in the face of similar future emergencies.
