Improving the donation experience and reducing venipuncture pain by addressing fears among whole‐blood and plasma donors

Abstract

Background: Fear of blood donation is implicated in vasovagal reactions, donor recruitment, and retention. This study examined the extent to which fear among donors is associated with various donor outcomes in an Australian sample, and whether fear can be addressed on-site to reduce adverse reactions and improve the donation experience. Study design and methods: Six hundred and sixty-four donors (age M = 33.4, SD = 12.7; 55% female) participated in a two-center, pragmatic, parallel group, individually randomized controlled trial. Following donor registration and consent, whole-blood (n = 539) and plasma (n = 125) donors were assigned to one of four Conditions: control; fear assessment; fear assessment + brochure; fear assessment + brochure + tailored conversation focused on any self-reported fear and coping strategies. Post-donation questionnaires assessed the donors' experience including positive support, donor self-efficacy, anxiety, fear, venipuncture pain, and vasovagal reactions. Results: Fear among donors predicted higher venipuncture pain, postdonation anxiety, and vasovagal reactions and remained significant after controlling for other established predictors (i.e., total estimated blood volume, age, sex, and donation experience). Mediational analyses showed that exposure to brochures (with or without the tailored conversation) was associated with less pain, with this effect mediated by donor perceptions of more positive support.Venipuncture pain was also associated with vasovagal reactions, reduced likelihood of return within 6 months, and less satisfaction with the donation experience. Conclusion:The current results underline the importance of interventions to address fear among both whole-blood and plasma donors to secure the safety and well-being of donors and the blood supply.

What would it take to convince you to donate? A survey study of the relationship between motivators, barriers, and payment for whole blood, plasma, and platelet donation

“…On the one hand, this may be accomplished by offering the level of payment that they deemed necessary to motivate them. On the other hand, these prospective donors may also be willing to donate for less money, and perhaps even no payment, if we help to alleviate their fear and anxiety and increase their confidence 14,24 . In addition, we could work toward similar outcomes by activating demonstrated motivators such as warm glow and anticipated regret 25 …”

“…On the other hand, these prospective donors may also be willing to donate for less money, and perhaps even no payment, if we help to alleviate their fear and anxiety and increase their confidence. 14,24 In addition, we could work toward similar outcomes by activating demonstrated motivators such as warm glow and anticipated regret. 25 Although an important strength of the present study was recruitment of both donors and non-donors from two different sources, as with any study there are also limitations that must be considered when interpreting the findings.…”

“…Further, based on prior studies of donation intention and behavior, [10][11][12][13] it was hypothesized that donation-related motivators (i.e., altruism, warm glow, regret, self-efficacy, attitude) would be inversely related to payment levels, whereas donation-related barriers (i.e., fear and anxiety) would be positively related to payments. Finally, consistent with evidence of self-efficacy and attitude as key mediators of donor intention and behavior, 14,15 analyses were conducted to examine how motivators and barriers may influence payment levels via donation-related self-efficacy and attitudes.…”

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Blood Transfusion Services: A Perspective from Health Professionals and Donors

“…However, in the early phases of COVID-19, there was only an incidence of reduction in blood supply. 16 How to Increase Blood Supply in Blood Banks?…”

Evaluation of interventions to prevent vasovagal reactions among whole blood donors: rationale and design of a large cluster randomised trial.

“…A previous meta-analysis of randomised trials has, however, shown that there is limited evidence to support water loading or AMT,(16-18) because previous studies have typically involved small sample sizes; nonrepresentative populations; non-robust outcomes de nitions; and sub-optimal randomisation methods. These concerns apply even more sharply to the sparser evidence available on other interventions used by some blood services, including isotonic drinks (19)(20)(21) prolongation of post-donation recovery time, and psychosocial educational materials (22,23). Hence, blood services need more robust evidence to help shape and inform their currently diverse approaches to prevent VVRs.. To evaluate the effects of four interventions for the prevention of VVRs among whole blood donors, we have designed the Strategies to Improve Donor Experiences (STRIDES) trial, a large cluster-randomised trial across all sites of the national blood service in England (National Health Service Blood and Transplant [NHSBT]).…”