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Background & Objectives: Out of total 328 antigens recognized by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT), ABO and RhD antigens are the most important from the transfusion medicine perspective. The present study was conducted with larger sample size than prior studies to determine frequencies of ABO and Rh alleles and obtain distribution of ABO and RhD blood group pattern among blood donors. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the Department of IHBT, Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad from October 2007 to September 2012. ABO grouping and RhD typing was done using conventional tube technique on a total of 109771 donors. Commercial anti-sera and in-house prepared cells were used for cell and serum grouping respectively in those tests. Departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were followed for each aspect of testing. Observed ABO and RhD antigen frequencies were noted. Bernstein and Hardy-Weinberg equations were applied to determine the allele frequencies of ABO and RhD respectively. Results: Blood group B has the highest prevalence (35.81%) in the population under study followed by O (32.74%), A (22.68%) and AB (8.77%). Female donors comprised only 1.75% of the sample size. Rh D positivity was noted in 94.48% donors. Conclusion: Results obtained were quite similar to prior studies from Ahmedabad with smaller sample size. Remarkable differences were noted as compared with western population. The data generated in the present study combined with several other studies of different geographical region of India has significant implications in inventory management of blood transfusion services.
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Introduction and Aim-Objective: Regulatory authority and voluntary accreditation organization require particular records and documents to be maintained for the operation of the blood bank. It can be accomplished using blood bank data management (BDMS) software in a less labor-intensive manner as compared to manual methods provided that the technical staff is properly trained. Many of the near miss events could be prevented with the use of blood bank software ensuring better patient safety. Hemovigilance scheme though not yet well established in our country which requires robust data management and compilation can be easily retrieved from the software. We present below reports on the effectiveness of Blood Bank Data Management System in strengthening of Blood Transfusion Services. The main aim of the study was to compare computer software with traditional hand-written documents for record management and evaluate BDMS in prevention of near-miss events. Materials and Methods: A comparative study between record keeping by conventional registers and Blood bank Data Management System (BDMS) software was done for period of six months from September 2011 to February 2012. Each of the entry was duplicated in both during this study period. Each of the technicians using the software was asked to rate the user friendliness of the system using an objective method of scoring to prevent any bias. The time taken to enter each donor/patient data manually and on software was also compared. Results: All mandatory registers were electronically maintained. The time taken for the each register was significantly less by the software. The inventory of consumables was excellently managed. Also, the equipment records required to be maintained were available at the click of a mouse. 6 out of 15,220 samples were found to contain Wrong Blood In Tube (WBIT) based on traceability system of prior sample received of the same patient which could have been undetected with manual methods and 4 out of these 6 would have resulted in fatal Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction. Apart from this, two-way traceability of blood products was maintained. 30 out of 35 technicians rated the software as “Excellent” with respect to user friendliness. Conclusion: BDMS is a reinforcing tool in the data management and prevention of near miss events leading to improved safety in Blood transfusion Services.
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Background: Hypertension is the commonest cardiovascular disorder posing a major public health challenge, a chronic condition of concern due to its role in causation of coronary heart disease, stroke and other vascular complications. Aim and Objectives: To assess the Cardiovascular Risk Factors in apparently healthy individuals of B.J. Medical College and Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad and to raise awareness among them. Materials and Methods : The present study was carried out on 422 (179 females, 243 males) apparently healthy individuals aged 18 to 72 years at B. J. Medical College canteen and affiliated hospital O.P.D. for a period of one month and their height, weight, BMI(Body mass index) and blood pressure were measured. Results: Number of subjects with above normal systolic blood pressure were 88, out of which 68.2% were males with p value<0.05. 38.86% persons found to be overweight (with BMI >24.99) out of which 49.39% were females and 50.61% were males. 20.85% persons had Above Normal BP (Systolic BP >139) out of which 79.5% were persons >40 yrs of age and 59.1 % were overweight (with BMI >24.99). Conclusion: Screening for the cardiovascular risk factors could be useful in detection of modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular diseases especially hypertension and obesity.
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Background & Objectives: To study the prevalence of HIV, HBsAg, HCV & syphilis in blood donors. Methods: The seroprevalence of HIV, HBsAg & syphilis among voluntary and replacement donors was analyzed for a period of 16 years (January 1996 to December 2011) and for HCV for a period of 10 years and 7 months (June 2001 to December 2011) at Department of Immunohaematology & Blood Transfusion, Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad. In this period, a total of 2, 81,665 donors were tested, out of which, 2, 00,903 (71.3%)were replacement donors and 80,762 (28.7%)were voluntary donors. HIV, HBsAg & HCV were tested by ELISA method and syphilis by RPR method. Results: Total seropositivity was 1071(0.380%) for HIV, 2900 (1.102%) for HBsAg, 599 (0.306 %) for HCV & 1522(0.540 %) for syphilis. In replacement donors, seropositivity for HIV was 891(0.443%), HBsAg was 2299(1.144%), HCV was 437(0.330%) & syphilis was 1130(0.562%). In voluntary donors, seropositivity for HIV was 180(0.222%), HBsAg was 601(0.744%), HCV was 162(0.257%) & syphilis was 392(0.485%). Conclusion: The present study indicates that higher seroprevalence rates for HIV, HBsAg, HCV & syphilis were observed in replacement donors as compared to voluntary donors.