Intensification of donor interviewing procedures: a feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the feasibility and acceptability for the blood donor of an intensified blood donor interviewing procedure on high-risk factors for infectious diseases. To answer the question whether an intensified blood donor interviewing procedure would lead to an unacceptable loss of blood donors.

DESIGN

Feasibility study.

SETTING

Red Cross Bloodbank Rotterdam. DONORS: Study group of 240 first-time donors.

INTERVENTIONS: Intensified donor interviewing techniques by direct questioning and workload assessment.

RESULTS

Intensified interviewing was welcomed by 88-91% of first-time donors and rejected by 2-5%. On the question whether the intensified interviewing procedure should be the standard approach of the blood bank the answer was positive in 76-82% of first-time donors and negative in 11-14%. No blood donors indicated that this would be a reason to withdraw from blood donation. The workload for the blood bank physician increased by approximately 30%.

CONCLUSION

The approach of intensified donor interviewing techniques in first-time donors is acceptable both to the donors and the blood bank workload.