Prospective Audit of Blood Donor Selection Process in a Tertiary Care Hospital of a Developing Country

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to emphasize the significance of internal audits of the blood donor selection process and documentation in a resource-limited country by assessing compliance with the established protocols, and to identify weak areas in the process. METHODS: This audit reviewed the donor selection process at the blood bank of Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College, Karachi, over a 6-month period. Seven variables selected as performance indicators were graded as very good (%90-100%), good (80%-89%), satisfactory (70%-79%), or unacceptable (<70%). Blood bank staff was asked for feedback and suggestions. RESULTS: Documentation of donor demographics was not within the acceptable range (documentation rates of 65.14%), donor status records were satisfactory (77.64%), and donor physical exam records were graded as good (86.34%). Five performance indicators were graded as very good (90%-100%). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The audit proved productive in identifying major causes of irregularities in documentation and in making valuable suggestions for their rectification.

Keywords

• medical audit
• transfusion medicine
• donor selection