2) Defer blood donations from donors returning from any national or international
territory with a travel health notice for 14 days, donors who have possibly been
exposed to the risk of infection by contact with subjects with COVID-19 documented
infection, and donors with a history of COVID-19 infection (documented infection or
onset of symptoms compatible with COVID-19 infection) who are convalescent.
3) Require donors to inform their blood collection centres in case of symptoms
compatible with COVID-19 infection or in the case of diagnosis of COVID-19 infection
within 14 days after donation (post-donation information).
4) Promote the implementation of simple triage processes during the reception of donors
at blood collection units, aiming to avoid the possible spread of the virus in waiting
rooms. This includes the measurement of body temperature outside the collection
area. A body temperature of 37.5°C or higher is defined as a criterion for the temporary
deferral of the donor.
5) Request all personnel working at blood collection units to comply scrupulously with
behavioural protocols designed to prevent the spread of respiratory infections,
including COVID-19 infection.
Additional actions directed towards the management of voluntary blood donors to ensure
continuous and safe donation of blood components included a timely appeal to donate blood
when shortage was foreseeable; careful planning of the donor schedule to avoid an excessive
number of donors at blood collection centres as well as compliance with social distancing
measures; use of adequate personal protective equipment; and meticulous adherence to
hygiene regulations. In addition, travel to donate blood was considered as essential by the
government.
The application of these recommendations has facilitated the safer management of blood
donations and, following an initial 10% decrease in whole blood collection, has maintained a
stable volume of total blood donations (approximately 50,000 units per week), thus
guaranteeing blood component self-sufficiency and safety in Italy.
Finally, the Italian National Blood Centre validated and adopted a forecasting model to
estimate the drop in blood supplies during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Italy 13. According to
this model, the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 positivity, calculated on the general
population, was transferred to the donor population by estimating the number of positive
subjects. The calculation model was validated by the linear interpolation method.
In conclusion, it is possible to manage a transfusion system during a critical period, using
pragmatic, prudent and evidence-based measures.
In Italy, the application of specific donor management measures has facilitated the safer
management of blood donations and, following an initial 10% decrease in whole blood
collection, has maintained a stable volume of total blood donations (approximately 50,000
units per week), thus guaranteeing blood component self-sufficiency and safety.