Recommendations for reducing non-compliance

The following are some recommendations which we believe will help in reducing events of non-compliance in blood donation camps.

Set-up a mechanism to monitor quality of VBDCs. Encourage reporting NC and take immediate corrective action.
At least once in a year organise a training program for all blood bank staff specifically for attending VBDC. Include discussions on issues which have been observed in VBDC.
Develop an SOP for the Medical officer incharge of VBDCs detailing the Donor screening process flow, acceptable medical conditions, acceptable medications, un-acceptable medications etc. Include expected counseling details for various reasons for deferral .
Ensure that staff members can communicate in the English and local language.

Ensure that the vehicle is kept ready for the camp on the day prior to the VBDC. Check for spare tire and adequacy of fuel. Minimise the steps that the team needs to take at the blood bank before proceeding for VBDCs.
Ensure that the staff leaves early for VBDC accounting for the delays that may happen due to traffic/unexpected situations.

Ensure that a day prior to the blood donation camp all the materials/resources are cross checked in terms of quantity. Keep margin for unexpected situations. Check if all equipment is working.
Ensure that the blood bank orders consumables well in advance to ensure that there is no situation when a VBDC is attended without sufficient materials.

Ensure only qualified and experienced technicians are sent to VBDCs as per the Drug controller's guidelines. Ensure that any new joinees in the staff are made to attend several VBDC in the presence of adequate staff for normal execution until the Blood bank incharge is satisfied with their training, orientation and skill. During the training period keep a strict watch on trainees to ensure that no action of theirs causes inconvenince to the donors/drive organisers.
Avoid one time contractual medical officers. Strictly avoid the practice of nominating PG students or other doctors from the establishment for VBDCs on a rotation basis. Ensure that one form a small pool of well trained and experienced doctors attends the camps in the capacity of a medical officer. Ensure that Doctors who are expected to attend VBDC get to attend at least 5-10 camps in presence of experienced medical officers in order to ensure adequate exposure to all aspects of VBDC which need their supervision and involvement.
Ensure that when a medical officer comes across a situation in which he/she is not sure of whether to select or defer the donor, adequate follow-up action is taken to clarify on the situation and added to the donor selection criteria being followed by the blood bank.

Ensure that the hemoglobin measuring equipment is calibrated as prescribed by the supplier. Also ensure that the methodology for hemoglobin estimation is accurately followed.
Replace all arbitrary and belief based criteria being followed by medical officers for donor screening with scientifically sound criteria which is in accordance with the guidelines and rules. Ensure that the medical officer looks through the entire form carefully.
Ensure that the medical officers document the reasons for deferral and the same are reviewed periodically. Compare the statistics of criteria wise donor deferral after every drive and probe reasons for abnormal deferral counts.

Ensure that there is no pressure on the technicians to collect more units than what is safely possible. Lay stringent rules for proper care and rest to be given to donors, after donation.
Ensure that there is a clear protocol for management of post donation complications and that all the staff members are trained in their roles for proper implementation of it.

Ensure that the medical officer incharge supervises the staff and ensures that they wear gloves and take care not to dispose biomedical waste improperly.
Ensure that at least 1 staff member in the team is responsible for ensuring that any blood spillage is handled as per the regulations and all biomedical waste is disposed/carried by the blood bank.

Ensure strong steps are taken in the event of behavioral issues which are observed/reported.

Sankalp Unit

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