Evaluation of bleed duration and adverse donor reactions during the blood donation process

There are great gaps regarding the demand and supply of blood and its derivatives in the blood transfusion field, which remains a major health issue. Adverse reactions experienced in the blood donation process have been reported to be one of the demotivating factors for donors returning. This study assessed bleed duration and the occurrence of adverse donor reactions (ADRs) in a blood bank setting in Cameroon.

A blood bank-based experimental study was conducted over 24 months at the Bafoussam Regional Hospital, Cameroon. Signs and symptoms of ADRs were recorded from whole blood donors who bled within and above 10 min, as well as from counselled and uncounselled donors.

Overall, 35 of 252 (13.9%) cases presented undesirable effects from blood donation, with re-puncture-associated haematomas-occurring in 17 of 35 (5.95%)-recorded as the most common reaction. On evaluating bleed duration as a predisposing factor, 28.9% of whole blood donors with bleed duration exceeding 10 min experienced ADRs, while 10.6% of donors bled within 10 min (p = 0.0013). Whether a donor was counselled or not, it had no effect on the occurrence of ADR.

The study identified prolonged bleeding duration as a novel predisposing factor for ADRs. Re-puncture-associated haematoma, which is an erroneous phlebotomist act, is the possible cause. The acquisition of digital vein detector devices in blood banks to curb adverse donor events, will consequently scale up blood donation and reduce the gap in the blood supply.