A study of the noncompliance of blood banks on safety and quality parameters in blood donation camps in Bengaluru.
OBJECTIVE
The compliance of safety and quality parameters laid out by national and international guidelines in outdoor blood donation camps has not been studied in India. Our study aimed at identifying, monitoring, analyzing, and developing preventive strategies for several key parameters associated with the quality and safety of outdoor voluntary blood donation camps (VBDC).


METHODS
The study covered a total of 424 VBDCs at various locations in Bengaluru, Karnataka (South India) from 2009 to 2013. Seven government hospitals based blood banks, three private hospitals based blood banks and two voluntary standalone blood banks participated in the VBDCs included in the study.


METHODS
At the onset, the quality and safety standards to be followed were discussed and agreed upon. During the study, noncompliance (NC) to the agreed upon standards were recorded and shared. Periodic trainings were also organized to help minimize NC.


RESULTS
One or more instances of NC in 73% of the VBDCs. Highest NC were observed associated with punctuality (34%), wearing gloves (16%), hemoglobin (Hb) estimation (11%) and donor screening and selection other than Hb check (8-9%).


CONCLUSIONS
For all 16 parameters under study, significant NC was observed. As a whole private hospital based blood banks were more noncompliant. The high degree of NC to matters relating to quality and safety in VBDCs is high and warrants for urgent attention and further study. Our study also shows that regular monitoring and systematic and strategic intervention can decrease the rate of NC.
Project Rakta Kranti, Sankalp India Foundation, Bengaluru, India.
Rajat Kumar
RK
Agarwal
Project Rakta Kranti, Sankalp India Foundation, Bengaluru, India.
Rakesh
R
Dhanya
Project Rakta Kranti, Sankalp India Foundation, Bengaluru, India.
Lalith G
LG
Parmar
Project Rakta Kranti, Sankalp India Foundation, Bengaluru, India.
Arpit
A
Vaish
Technology Team, Sankalp India Foundation, Bengaluru, India.
Amit
A
Sedai
Department of Neuropathology, Transfusion Medicine Center, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India.
Sundar
S
Periyavan
Blood donation camp; hemovigilance; noncompliance; quality; voluntary blood donation