The selection of donors in multicomponent collection management

The use of cell separators in multicomponent collection (MCC) makes it possible to use donors effectively by personalising the donation on the basis of their haemotological and physical profiles and thereby standardising the product. We have applied the selection parameters currently used in our collection centre to 6687 donors using a common software programme for all: 57.6% were eligible for the various forms of MCC, although our parameters are even stricter than those required by law. Between 01 September 2001 and 28 February 2002, 345 MCC (9% of all the donations made) were performed and assessed: 111 donations of double red cell units, 153 donations of red cells and plasma, 62 donations of plasma and platelets, 19 donations of double platelet units: only slight, adverse reactions were encountered in 6% of the procedures. 68 double red cell unit donors and 65 red cell and plasma donors were then reassessed 6 months after MCC: the parameters assessed (hemoglobin, serum iron, ferritin, and total protein) were the same as the pre-donation data. All the units collected complied with legal requirements. With the use of parameters based on donor hematological and physical characteristics we can move from the concept of tailored transfusions to the concept of tailored donations thereby ensuring donor safety and meeting patient needs.