On‐site deferral of whole blood and plasma donors in the Netherlands between 2006 and 2013

Background and ObjectivesDonor physicians at Sanquin Blood Supply reported increasing on‐site deferral rates. The aim of this study was to investigate the change over time in on‐site deferral rates of whole blood and plasma donation visits in the Netherlands between 2006 and 2013.Materials and methodsAll visits of whole blood and plasma donors that occurred between 2006 and 2013 were included. Deferrals were categorized in groups of related deferral reasons. Binomial logistic generalized estimating equations analyses were carried out to investigate overall change over time and changes over time in monthly on‐site deferral rates.ResultsData were available for 7 375 438 visits (65% whole blood). Women were more frequently deferred than men (whole blood OR=1·76; 95% CI 1·75–1·78). Deferrals for low haemoglobin and for travel showed an increase during the study period, and increasing seasonal variation. All other deferral reasons remained stable over time.ConclusionThe increased deferral was driven by a rise in deferrals for low Hb level and travel behaviour. A decreasing donation visit ratio of men to women and a decreasing proportion of smokers might partly explain the increase in low haemoglobin deferrals. Travel deferrals probably increased due to stricter deferral criteria.