Research code: IR.TMI.REC.1399.029
Ethics code: IR.TMI.REC.1399.029
Clinical trials code: IR.TMI. REC.1399.018
, saeedm_58@yahoo.com
Abstract: (495 Views)
Abstract
Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to the alteration in hygienic conditions. Direct transmission of the respiratory droplet during speaking and coughing and reaching the droplet to the mucosa is the most common way of transmitting the COVID-19. Also, hand contact with contaminated surfaces can lead to indirect transmission of the virus between individuals. Therefore, the cleanliness of the environment and the professional training of health workers are very effective in preventing the transmission of COVID-19.
The main challenge for blood centers is ensuring the safety of blood donors and providing an adequate blood supply. In Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO), since the beginning of the outbreak COVID-19, a station for measuring body temperature and mask distribution was established in blood collection centers to protect blood donors. Disinfecting materials was provided and distancing was set up between the chairs of the reception area and blood collection beds. In fact, improvement of hygienic conditions in the blood donation departments as the first step of blood collection is critical to increase the safety of the blood donors and blood supply. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of monitoring the performance of blood donation centers during the outbreak of COVID-19.
Methods: Data was collected in December 2020. Regular blood donors were selected in 31 provinces of Iran. There are 3 types of blood donors: First-time donor is a person who donated blood for the first time; repeated donor is a person who has donated blood in the past, but not in the preceding 12 months; and a regular donor is a person who has donated twice or more during one year. Regular blood donors were selected because of the sufficient knowledge of the blood donation process. These donors can compare hygienic condition in the blood donation centers before and after the pandemic. This method is considered as a novel assessment tool.
A questionnaire containing 10 questions was presented to evaluate the performance of blood transfusion centers to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. The comparison and evaluation of the questionnaires was done by assigning an importance coefficient (IC) score to each question. The study was approved by High Institute for Education and Research in Transfusion Medicine: IR.TMI. REC.1399.018. Frequencies and percent of descriptive data were analyzed by descriptive statistic. Data with normal distribution analyzed by parametric tests and data with abnormal distribution were analyzed by nonparametric test. A p value of less than 0.05 indicates that a difference is significant. All Statistical analyses were carried out with SPSS software (version 22).
Results: Analysis of the Questionnaires obtained from 31 centers revealed that 6 questions received >80% positive response that among this "sanitation in blood centers" and "staff encounter behavior" had the maximum satisfaction percent (%100 and 97% respectively). On the other hand, 4 questions received <80% positive response and “mask distribution among blood donors” had the minimum satisfaction percent (45%). Monitoring the performance in blood centers by regular blood donors in 31 provinces of Iran showed that 18 centers (58.1%) received IC scores >10(Strong performance), 7 centers (22.6%) received the range of IC scores between7-10(acceptable performance), and 6 centers (19.4%) received IC scores <7(poor performance). The difference in IC scores between provinces was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: The result of this study showed that the evaluation of blood donation centers through regular blood donors can play an important role in the improvement of services provided to blood donors, and it indirectly affects the quality and health of blood. Also, detailed analysis of questioners in each province can lead to troubleshooting and effective corrective actions.
In the present study, the results showed that 7 provinces received a range of scores between 7-10 which was acceptable scores. These results provide valuable information on the identification of poorly performing provinces, which leads to greater focus and closer monitoring of these areas (6 provinces with scores less than 7). The results also showed that there was a high percentage of dissatisfaction about “stand”, “sitting space”, and “overcrowding” questions. It is necessary to mention that in many blood transfusion centers, it is not possible to change the infrastructure and this issue leads to limited space to place the posters and sitting. It seems that the crowd management with blood donation staff and the transfer of donors to the outdoor space leads to effective space management and reduces the possibility of disease transmission
Our study is limited, by the small sample size and lack of previous research studies on the topic. However, this research can provide an effective guide to the use of blood donors for Monitoring the performance of blood donation centers, especially in critical situations.
Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to the alteration in hygienic conditions. Direct transmission of the respiratory droplet during speaking and coughing and reaching the droplet to the mucosa is the most common way of transmitting the COVID-19. Also, hand contact with contaminated surfaces can lead to indirect transmission of the virus between individuals. Therefore, the cleanliness of the environment and the professional training of health workers are very effective in preventing the transmission of COVID-19.
The main challenge for blood centers is ensuring the safety of blood donors and providing an adequate blood supply. In Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO), since the beginning of the outbreak COVID-19, a station for measuring body temperature and mask distribution was established in blood collection centers to protect blood donors. Disinfecting materials was provided and distancing was set up between the chairs of the reception area and blood collection beds. In fact, improvement of hygienic conditions in the blood donation departments as the first step of blood collection is critical to increase the safety of the blood donors and blood supply. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of monitoring the performance of blood donation centers during the outbreak of COVID-19.
Methods: Data was collected in December 2020. Regular blood donors were selected in 31 provinces of Iran. There are 3 types of blood donors: First-time donor is a person who donated blood for the first time; repeated donor is a person who has donated blood in the past, but not in the preceding 12 months; and a regular donor is a person who has donated twice or more during one year. Regular blood donors were selected because of the sufficient knowledge of the blood donation process. These donors can compare hygienic condition in the blood donation centers before and after the pandemic. This method is considered as a novel assessment tool.
A questionnaire containing 10 questions was presented to evaluate the performance of blood transfusion centers to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. The comparison and evaluation of the questionnaires was done by assigning an importance coefficient (IC) score to each question. The study was approved by High Institute for Education and Research in Transfusion Medicine: IR.TMI. REC.1399.018. Frequencies and percent of descriptive data were analyzed by descriptive statistic. Data with normal distribution analyzed by parametric tests and data with abnormal distribution were analyzed by nonparametric test. A p value of less than 0.05 indicates that a difference is significant. All Statistical analyses were carried out with SPSS software (version 22).
Results: Analysis of the Questionnaires obtained from 31 centers revealed that 6 questions received >80% positive response that among this "sanitation in blood centers" and "staff encounter behavior" had the maximum satisfaction percent (%100 and 97% respectively). On the other hand, 4 questions received <80% positive response and “mask distribution among blood donors” had the minimum satisfaction percent (45%). Monitoring the performance in blood centers by regular blood donors in 31 provinces of Iran showed that 18 centers (58.1%) received IC scores >10(Strong performance), 7 centers (22.6%) received the range of IC scores between7-10(acceptable performance), and 6 centers (19.4%) received IC scores <7(poor performance). The difference in IC scores between provinces was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: The result of this study showed that the evaluation of blood donation centers through regular blood donors can play an important role in the improvement of services provided to blood donors, and it indirectly affects the quality and health of blood. Also, detailed analysis of questioners in each province can lead to troubleshooting and effective corrective actions.
In the present study, the results showed that 7 provinces received a range of scores between 7-10 which was acceptable scores. These results provide valuable information on the identification of poorly performing provinces, which leads to greater focus and closer monitoring of these areas (6 provinces with scores less than 7). The results also showed that there was a high percentage of dissatisfaction about “stand”, “sitting space”, and “overcrowding” questions. It is necessary to mention that in many blood transfusion centers, it is not possible to change the infrastructure and this issue leads to limited space to place the posters and sitting. It seems that the crowd management with blood donation staff and the transfer of donors to the outdoor space leads to effective space management and reduces the possibility of disease transmission
Our study is limited, by the small sample size and lack of previous research studies on the topic. However, this research can provide an effective guide to the use of blood donors for Monitoring the performance of blood donation centers, especially in critical situations.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Public Health
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