Background: Whole blood donation is generally considered to be a safe procedure, but occasionally adverse reactions of varying severity may occur during or at the end of the collection. The aim of the study was to estimate the frequency and type of adverse events occurring during blood donation and to assess the practices which would help to minimise them.
Materials and methods: This retrospective single-centre study was conducted from June 2007 to November 2009 at a regional blood transfusion centre. All whole blood donations made at the centre were analysed. All adverse events occurring during or at the end of donation were noted using a standardised format.
Results: Overall 113 adverse events were reported in relation to 19,045 donations, resulting in an overall adverse event rate of 0.6%, that is, an incidence of 1 in every 166 donations. Presyncopal symptoms, in other words vasovagal reactions of mild intensity, were the most commonly observed adverse reactions and accounted for approximately 70% of all adverse reactions noted.
Conclusions: Only 0.6% of blood donations were complicated by adverse events and most of these events were presyncopal symptoms. Our study reinforces the fact that blood donation is a very safe procedure which could be made even more event-free by following certain friendly, reassuring and tactful practices.