SampLink: a new system for the collection of donor blood samples

Increasing demands for screening tests on blood donors, which require a large number of undiluted samples, and the rising concern for the safety of the phlebotomists have led to the development of a new blood sampling system. The new device was evaluated during the collection of 60 blood units, and compared with 50 control units collected using the "cut and drip' method. The time required for both blood donation and donor samples collection, blood component quality, coagulation factors activation and haemolysis were studied. In addition, reports and recommendations of Magen David Adom phlebotomists were evaluated after collecting 75000 units using the new device. Donor sample collection with the new device was comparable and somewhat shorter than with the "cut and drip' method, while the blood unit collection time remained unchanged. There were no differences in plasma haemoglobin, factor VIII and platelet yields and morphology scores in blood units and donor samples collected by the two methods. There were no reported instances of needle-sticks among phlebotomists using either method. The new device was simple to operate, improved blood donor samples collection practice and enabled the collection of as many undiluted donor samples as required for routine testing. In addition, the use of vacuum tubes ensured sterility, safety and standardization of samples. The components provided were comparable in quality to those prepared from units collected by other methods.