Effect of entertainment on adverse donor reactions during & after blood donation.

ABSTRACT

Background & objectives: Blood is lifesaving fluid that cannot be created artificially. So, Blood donors are the precious resources. Whole blood donation is generally considered to be a safe procedure but sometimes adverse donor reaction (ADR) may occur. Recognition and evaluation of the so called adverse donor reactions during and after whole blood donation has a great value for improving the supply of the blood donation. The present prospective study was carried out with an aim to estimate the frequency and severity of adverse events occurring in whole blood donors at our Regional Blood Transfusion Centre and to study the effect of entertainment as an anxiolytic on development of ADR. Material and Method:The present prospective study was carried out at the IHBT Department of B.J. Medical College, Civil Hospital Campus, Ahmedabad. The period of the study was 2 years ranging from 1st September, 2009 to 31st October, 2011. A total of 42,684 whole blood donations were accepted during the period either on replacement basis in house in blood bank or on voluntary basis in outdoor blood donation camps. On 22-02-2011 television set with entertaining channels was installed at the donor reception area and phlebotomy room of the blood bank. Result:It was noted that 632 (1.48 %) donors had developed one of ADR. Conclusion: Because of anxiety syndrome, the rate of ADR was very high in first-time donors (3.25 %) as compared to repeat donors. Television set with entertaining channels had anxiolytic effect on the donors and striking decline (0.81 % to 0.45 %) was noted in the adverse reactions in replacement donors at blood bank.