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Current perceptions of Canadian autologous blood donors
M Banning1, J Bormanis, N Lander
1Department of Psychology, the Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
Insights
Concerns about allogeneic blood safety drive autologous donation, providing patients control and security. Most participants felt the Canadian blood system improved post-donation, enhancing their sense of safety.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Patient Safety
- Blood Donation Practices
Background:
- Autologous blood donation perceptions and motivations were assessed.
- The study evaluated patient regard for autologous donation and Canada's blood system post-1999.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine patient perceptions and motivations for autologous blood donation.
- To assess patient regard for the autologous donation process and the Canadian blood system.
Main Methods:
- Survey administered to patients before and after surgical procedures (orthopaedic, cardiac, urological, gynecological).
- Data collected on patient demographics, prior donation/transfusion history, and reasons for donation.
Main Results:
- 100 patients (19-83 years) surveyed; 84 had prior surgery, 27 prior transfusion.
- 72 donated for guaranteed blood availability; 66 cited concerns about allogeneic blood safety.
- Post-donation, 83 were happy, 77 would donate again, feeling increased safety and improved outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Concerns regarding allogeneic blood safety remain a primary motivator for autologous donation.
- Autologous donation provides patients with a sense of control and security.
- A majority of patients perceived improvements in the Canadian blood system.
Background And Objectives:
We determined the perceptions and motivations of autologous donors to establish their regard for this process and the new blood system established in 1999 in Canada.
Materials And Methods:
Patients were surveyed before and after orthopaedic, cardiac, urological or gynecological procedures.
Results:
Patients (n = 100; 57 men and 43 women) ranged in age from 19 to 83 years. Most had finished high school, and 21 had a university degree. Eighty-four had undergone previous surgery and 27 a previous transfusion. Fifty-one had been blood donors and 17 had been autologous donors. Specialists suggested donation to 78 of the patients. Seventy-two participated because they knew that their blood would be there. Three had a mistrust of the blood provider. Sixty-six believed that there is still a risk of receiving contaminated blood. Sixty-nine thought any risk was > or = 1 in 100,000; however, 16 thought the risk was < 1 in 1000. Postsurgery, 83 were happy to have donated their blood and 77 would do it again. Many felt that it improved their outcome. Most felt an increased sense of safety. Eighty-three patients were confident that the Canadian blood system had improved, but 17 were unsure.
Conclusions:
Concern about the safety of the allogeneic blood supply still drives the wish to autodonate. The process gives patients a sense of control and security. A large proportion of people felt that the Canadian blood system had improved, as determined by this 2003 study.
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