Management of

Adverse Donor
Reactions
Learning outcomes
You should now be able to:
Identify the measures needed to minimize the risk of
adverse donor reactions
Identify the basic requirements for the management of
adverse donor reactions
Types of adverse donor reaction

Preventing adverse reactions

Immediate management of adverse reactions

Requirements for managing adverse reactions

Types of adverse donor reactions
Local reactions
Due to complications of the venepuncture
irritation, bruising or hematoma
Contact allergic reaction
Infection
Nerve injury
Types of adverse donor reactions
Systemic reactions
Usually due either to vasovagal effects or hypovolemia(The
malfunction in the autonomic nervous system causes a
drop in your blood pressure and a reduction in your
heartbeat. This leads to a temporary interruption to your
brains blood supply ) (Vasovagal Syncope)
Lightheadedness (dizzy), weakness, pallor, nausea, hypotension
& diaphoresis(excessive sweating )
Vasovagal reaction may progress to loss of consciousness in 5%
of cases
More severe systemic reactions include seizures, myocardial
infarction, cerebrovascular accidents
Preventing adverse donor reactions
Before blood donation
Donor information
Careful donor selection process with regard to
previous donation history
Use of simple, evidence-based methods to
reduce donor reactions, e.g. increased fluid
intake before donation
Preventing adverse donor reactions
During blood donation
Extra care for susceptible donors: e.g.
First-time donors
Women
Anxious donors
After blood donation
Appropriate resting time
Refreshments
Postdonation instructions
Close monitoring, especially of susceptible
donors
Managing adverse donor reactions
Reactions before blood is withdrawn:
Defer the donor and reschedule for another time
Reactions during or after withdrawal of blood:
Secure the donor
Discontinue the donation and remove the needle
Continue to manage the reaction appropriately
Provide advice on specific self-care
Provide contact information in case of continuing
ill effects
Managing adverse donor reactions

Provide reassurance and counselling

Record the incident in individual donor record
Try to find the cause by following up on the
donor's history: medical and personal
Contact the donor after leaving the donor
clinic
If multiple recurrence or severe reactions
Discourage donor from donating again
Encourage donor to support donor recruitment
Resources required
Standard operating procedures
Staff training in identifying and managing
adverse reactions, counselling and first aid
measures
Equipment for emergency management
Fixed sites
Mobile sites
Donor information and education materials
Resources required

Post-donation care instructions

Documentation in individual donor record
Reporting as part of hemovigilance system
Key points
Donor well-being is the blood services top
priority
Good donor education and donor selection
procedures minimize the likelihood of adverse
reactions
Adverse reactions must be managed
professionally with the health and safety of the
donor being the first concern


THANK YOU..