title: The application of multiparameter reference intervals for pre-donation capillary blood counts: the experience of a single institution.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a set of reference counts applied to multiparameter pre-counts in blood donors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Analyse the impact of pre-donation counts and specific reference intervals on donors' management.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Multiparameter blood counts allow an improved enrollment process of blood donors due to a prompt identification of abnormalities involving haemoglobin (Hb), white blood cells (WBC) and platelets (PLT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Multiple pre-donation capillary counts were applied in the enrollment process of 13,347 consecutive donors. The rate of specific alterations of permanent exclusion and donor readmittance to donations for temporary exclusion had been evaluated, applying a set of multiparameter reference intervals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Alterations involved Hb in 72.55% of cases, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in 20.99%, total WBC in 9.39%, lymphocytes in 7.55% and PLT in 6.07%. Among donors with initial alterations (543; 4.06%), 12.70% were readmitted to donations within 15 days, 14.36% had permanent exclusion, 36.83% underwent prompt supplementation treatment and 36.09% were lost at follow-up or refused treatments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The systematic use of blood count reference intervals and pre-donation multiparameter blood counts allowed prompt identification of WBC, PLT and MCV alterations, readmittance within 15 days of 12.70% of initially excluded donors and contributed to prompt management of supplement deficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University Transfusion Department, San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy. lpierelli@me.com
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pierelli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zennaro
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chiarioni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miceli
mesh_terms: D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001782:Blood Donors; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000592:standards*; D002196:Capillaries; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D010976:Platelet Count; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins