Beyond recruitment: A deferral analysis reveals the key to a sustainable blood supply

Introduction. Blood donor deferral, although essential for ensuring transfusion safety, represents a significant challenge to donor retention and overall blood supply. Understanding its causes and demographic patterns is crucial for developing effective interventions. Material and Methods. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Blood Transfusion Institute of Vojvodina, including all voluntary blood donors from January to December 2024. Collected data encompassed demographic characteristics, donor status, and reasons for temporary or permanent deferral. Descriptive statistical methods were applied. Results. Among 15,791 donor candidates, 1,957 (12.39%) were deferred. Most deferrals were temporary. Low hemoglobin was the leading cause, predominantly affecting women and younger donors. Notably, the majority of deferred individuals were repeat donors. Other common reasons included medication use and acute infections. Over 90% of all deferrals were due to temporary conditions, indicating substantial potential for donor return with appropriate follow-up and management. Conclusion. Donor deferral is primarily driven by reversible health factors. Targeted improvements in pre-donation screening, donor education, and iron deficiency prevention could reduce avoidable deferrals. Importantly, the manner in which deferred donors are approached significantly influences their likelihood of returning. Ensuring empathetic communication and clear guidance is essential for maintaining a stable and sustainable blood supply.