Promotion of the blood donation in a hospital: Comparison of two approaches

Background: Our purpose was to evaluate the results of the promotion of blood donation in patients undergoing stem cell transplantation (SCT) and to compare it with this promotion in remaining in-patients. Patients and Methods: The hematologist and the blood bank staff informed the patient undergoing SCT about the need for transfusions. Donors were selected for blood or platelet donation. In remaining in-patients, promotion was performed by the blood bank staff by interviewing patients. Results: Between January 2000 and May 2001, 48 SCT patients were included: 41 (85%) yielded 453 possible donors. Of them, 306 donated blood, 77 platelets and 82 were excluded. The number of donations was 484 (389 whole blood and 105 platelets), and 25% (n = 98) of patients donated blood subsequently. Among in-patients 1,950 interviews were carried out: 533 (27.3%) yielded 901 donors (p < 0.001). Overall, 1,146 blood donations were obtained and 15% (135) of these donors donated blood subsequently (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Collaboration of the hematologist in the promotion of blood donation leads to an increase in the rate and frequency of donations.