부산대학교 도서관

Background: Although apheresis donors are accustomed to connection to blood separation instruments, whole blood donors may have unusual reactions to having their blood collected into an instrument and then processed into components at their side immediately after collection. This study was undertaken to investigate donors' physical reactions to the use of the Chairside Separator System and the effect of its integration into routine operations. Methods: Whole blood donors presenting for routine, volunteer donation were recruited to participate in a randomized study of 500 mL whole blood donation via usual manual methods or via the Chairside Separator System (Haemonetics, Braintree, MA) in fixed-site collections. Donations were timed and the occurrence of any reactions noted. Comments of donors and of collections staff were recorded. Results: Of 190 donors entering the study, 90 were randomized to a manual collection system and 100 to donation via the Chairside Separator System. Successful collection of a unit of whole blood occurred manually in 86 donors (95.6%) in 8.3±3.2 min (range: 3-20 min); 99 donors (99%) donated successfully via the Chairside Separator System in 7.6±3.1 min (4-16 min; p>0.05 by t-test). Mild vasovagal reactions were noted in 2 donors of units collected manually (2.3%) and in 2 donors (2.0%) using the Chairside Separator System (p>0.05 by chi-square with Yates' correction). Four donors (4.7%) failed to complete manual collections due to flow or needle placement difficulties; only 1 failed to complete a Chairside Separator collection (1.0%; NS). Few donors declined to participate in the study, and no negative comments were elicited from those donating via the Chairside Separator System. Collections staff felt the Chairside Separator System's use did not impede efficiency of the operation while providing separated red cells and plasma units. Conclusions: Study results to date suggest that the Chairside Separator System provides an efficient means of collecting whole blood and separating it into components that is well-tolerated by donors and that does not interfere with regular collections operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]