The use of predictive modelling to determine the likelihood of donor return during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Artificial intelligence (AI) uses sophisticated algorithms to "learn" from large volumes of data. This could be used to optimise recruitment of blood donors through predictive modelling of future blood supply, based on previous donation and transfusion demand. We sought to assess utilisation of predictive modelling and AI blood establishments (BE) and conducted predictive modelling to illustrate its use.

Evaluation of platelet concentrates prepared using different methods after overnight holding (18-24 h) of whole blood at room temperature.

Background And Objectives: Regulatory requirement of fixed holding time (6 h) of whole blood (WB) at room temperature, that is, 22-24°C (RT) results in sub-optimal component separation. The aim was to evaluate the platelet concentrates (PC) prepared by both platelet rich plasma (PRP) and buffy coat (BC) methods after overnight hold (18-24 h) at RT.

Materials And Methods: A prospective experimental study was performed.

A randomized control trial for evaluation of transfusion related immuno-modulation in patients with meningioma.

Background: Blood transfusion necessity in neurosurgery varies based on surgical type, blood loss, and patient anemia. Leukocytes in red blood cells (RBCs) component release pro-inflammatory cytokines during storage, contributing to transfusion-related immunomodulation (TRIM). Our aim was to examine the impact of the leukocyte content in transfused PRBCs on patients undergoing neurosurgery for meningioma tumours.

Epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 antibodies in healthy blood donors and their follow-up.

Background: Asymptomatic/presymptomatic COVID-19 affected individuals who may appear healthy during blood donor screening can donate blood despite being infective. Most blood donors in India are relatives/friends/acquaintances of patients, who under peer pressure overlook the donor selection process, which can significantly impact the transfusion safety.

Aims: The prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies among blood donors was assessed, along with the possible transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 virus in transfusion recipients of blood components prepared from sero-reactive blood donors.

Prevention strategies for vasovagal reaction in whole blood donors: A quadri-armed randomised control trial.

Introduction: Vasovagal reaction (VVR) is a frequently encountered generalised donor adverse reaction, associated with donor deterrence towards future donation. Several mitigation strategies for prevention of VVR were tried but still not standardised. This quadri-armed randomised study evaluated the utility of water ingestion, applied muscle tension (AMT) and combination of both in preventing the VVR among blood donors.

Notification and follow-up of blood donors reactive for transfusion-transmitted infections: A narrative review of the literature from India.

Background And Objectives: Notifying blood donors of their reactive status for transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) plays a vital role in enabling early diagnosis and management while also preventing these donors from making future donation and transmission of the infectious agent. Given the limited data on donor notification processes in India, a narrative review was conducted to assess the existing notification process and identify areas requiring enhancement.

Materials And Methods: We conducted literature searches using PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus, employing various keywords.

Critical appraisal of knowledge, attitude and practice studies for blood donation in India.

Background And Objectives: A critical appraisal of the literature helps to assess the strength and weakness of the research and suggests ways to improve future research. Our aim was to critically appraise the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) studies conducted in India for blood donation.

Materials And Methods: Of 70 articles identified in our search on PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, 32 were assessed for quality using an appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies (AXIS) and questionnaire items.

Assessment of Transfusion Practices Among Doctors During COVID-19 Pandemic Using Questionnaire-Based Survey.

Unlabelled: During COVID-19 pandemic, many doctors were redirected from various disciplines for care of COVID-19 patients. A survey was conducted among doctors involved, to assess transfusion practices during the pandemic. To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of blood transfusion among doctors involved in care of COVID-19 patients.

Management of blood transfusion services in low-resource countries.

Background And Objectives: Enabling universal access to safe blood components should be a key component of every country's national healthcare strategy. This study aimed to assess the current status of infrastructure and resources of blood transfusion services (BTS) in low- and middle-income countries.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional survey was designed to gather information on blood donations, components, redistribution, testing resources and quality management systems (QMSs).

Association of blood donor's biological characteristics on outcomes of cardiac surgery patients receiving red blood cells transfusion.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the association of blood donor variables on the outcome of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Study Design And Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients who had cardiac surgery between January 2018 and December 2020. Blood donor characteristics such as age (≤ or >30 years), sex, and body mass index (BMI) (≤ or >25 kg/m) were analyzed for association with patient outcomes (length of hospital stay (LOS), mortality, and readmission).

Production and Quality Assurance of Human Polyclonal Hyperimmune Immunoglobulins Against SARS-CoV-2.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the potential therapeutic value of early passive polyclonal immunotherapy using high-titer convalescent plasma (CCP). Human polyclonal hyperimmune immunoglobulin (HIG) has several advantages over CCP. Unlike CCP, HIG can provide standardized and controlled antibody content.

International Society of Blood Transfusion survey of experiences of blood banks and transfusion services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background And Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted blood systems worldwide. Challenges included maintaining blood supplies and initiating the collection and use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP). Sharing information on the challenges can help improve blood collection and utilization.

Donor's Perspectives on Blood Donation During Covid-19 Pandemic.

Unlabelled: Covid-19 pandemic had affected transfusion services including recruitment of donors and blood donation camps activities. The blood donors may have concerns, confusion, and misleading rumours about blood donation during pandemic. People's priorities for blood donation may shift because of a dearth of necessities.

Therapeutic apheresis and non-blood donor related apheresis current practices at various blood centres of healthcare organisations of India: A brief online survey.

Objectives: To determine the variability in therapeutic apheresis (TA) and non-blood donor related apheresis practices, and the extent of expertise and knowledge of blood centre staff.

Background: Apheresis activity that was earlier limited to therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and donor apheresis at few centres in India has seen remarkable surge involving many centres practising TA and non-blood donor related apheresis. The decentralised transfusion medicine practice in country has resulted in wide variability of knowledge and practice of TA.

National blood donor vigilance programme of India: Analysis of donor adverse reactions reported during initial 2 years of implementation (2016 and 2017).

Introduction: The donor vigilance program is intended to collect and assess information on unexpected or undesirable effects or reactions resulting from blood donation. In this report, we discuss the analysis of the blood donor adverse reactions (DARs) reported in the National Blood Donor Vigilance Programme of India during the first 2 years of implementation.

Materials And Methods: DAR reporting form prepared and approved by the National Executive Committee of the Haemovigilance Programme of India was used to capture the data by the blood centers and submitted to Donor-Vigil software prepared and hosted by the official website of the National Institute of Biologicals.

Lessons learned in the collection of convalescent plasma during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The lack of definitive treatment or preventative options for COVID-19 led many clinicians early on to consider convalescent plasma (CCP) as potentially therapeutic. Regulators, blood centres and hospitals worldwide worked quickly to get CCP to the bedside. Although response was admirable, several areas have been identified to help improve future pandemic management.

Effect of leukoreduction on transfusion-related immunomodulation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to determine the consequences of different amounts of leukocyte transfusion on the outcome of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Design: This was a prospective, single-blinded cohort study conducted for 1 year from July 2018 to June 2019.

Setting: The study setting was the Department of Transfusion Medicine, along with Cardiac Anaesthesia, Cardiac Surgery and Cardiac biochemistry departments in a tertiary care cardiac centre.