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A device used to measure hemoglobin can deliver inaccurate results and may have prompted an increase in anemia among blood donors in Ireland, according to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS).
The IBTS began using the device—called haemospect—in July 2014 but recently discovered that it cannot detect anemia accurately in all cases.
This may have resulted in anemic individuals donating blood or caused individuals to become anemic by donating.
The IBTS said this issue likely affected female donors more than males, so the organization has decided to temporarily stop taking blood donations from women who have donated in the last 18 months.
The IBTS also said it will perform a full blood count on all male and female donors going forward, until this issue has been resolved.
“Until we have a resolution to the problem that has arisen, we are asking male donors to attend our clinics and give blood,” said IBTS Medical and Scientific Director William Murphy, MD.
“We need male donors to make an extra effort to donate and maintain the blood supply. We will be double-checking all hemoglobin results on these donors.”
Discovering the problem
Haemospect is a noninvasive device that uses white light to detect hemoglobin levels. The device is made by the German company MBR Optical Systems.
IBTS learned of the potential for inaccuracies with haemospect after a blood donor contacted the organization. She had been diagnosed as severely anemic by her doctor but had given blood the week before.
“We have now discovered that the device gives inaccurate results in some individuals with anemia down to, and probably below, 8.4 g/dL,” Dr Murphy said. “As a result of the issue . . . , some women, and probably a much smaller number of men, could have been rendered iron-deficient and anemic from blood donation in the past 18 months.”
Steps to resolution
Since the issue was discovered, more than 30 women with anemia have been identified and contacted. The IBTS said it will contact all donors who are found to be anemic.
“Over the next few weeks, we will introduce new software to reanalyze all the electronic results from all donors who have been tested and accepted for donation since we introduced this device,” Dr Murphy said. “Any discrepant results will be notified to the donors involved.”
Dr Murphy also said donors who think they might be anemic or iron-deficient should visit their doctors for testing, and the IBTS will foot the bill. Concerned donors can contact the IBTS at 1850 731137.
The IBTS plans to replace haemospect with an alternative device as soon as possible. The organization has contacted the Health Products Regularity Authority about the issue with haemospect, which is used in Austria and Germany as well.
“We are determined to have this matter resolved as soon as possible,” Dr Murphy said. “We are confident that this issue . . . has not had any impact on blood received by patients.” 
A device used to measure hemoglobin can deliver inaccurate results and may have prompted an increase in anemia among blood donors in Ireland, according to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS).
The IBTS began using the device—called haemospect—in July 2014 but recently discovered that it cannot detect anemia accurately in all cases.
This may have resulted in anemic individuals donating blood or caused individuals to become anemic by donating.
The IBTS said this issue likely affected female donors more than males, so the organization has decided to temporarily stop taking blood donations from women who have donated in the last 18 months.
The IBTS also said it will perform a full blood count on all male and female donors going forward, until this issue has been resolved.
“Until we have a resolution to the problem that has arisen, we are asking male donors to attend our clinics and give blood,” said IBTS Medical and Scientific Director William Murphy, MD.
“We need male donors to make an extra effort to donate and maintain the blood supply. We will be double-checking all hemoglobin results on these donors.”
Discovering the problem
Haemospect is a noninvasive device that uses white light to detect hemoglobin levels. The device is made by the German company MBR Optical Systems.
IBTS learned of the potential for inaccuracies with haemospect after a blood donor contacted the organization. She had been diagnosed as severely anemic by her doctor but had given blood the week before.
“We have now discovered that the device gives inaccurate results in some individuals with anemia down to, and probably below, 8.4 g/dL,” Dr Murphy said. “As a result of the issue . . . , some women, and probably a much smaller number of men, could have been rendered iron-deficient and anemic from blood donation in the past 18 months.”
Steps to resolution
Since the issue was discovered, more than 30 women with anemia have been identified and contacted. The IBTS said it will contact all donors who are found to be anemic.
“Over the next few weeks, we will introduce new software to reanalyze all the electronic results from all donors who have been tested and accepted for donation since we introduced this device,” Dr Murphy said. “Any discrepant results will be notified to the donors involved.”
Dr Murphy also said donors who think they might be anemic or iron-deficient should visit their doctors for testing, and the IBTS will foot the bill. Concerned donors can contact the IBTS at 1850 731137.
The IBTS plans to replace haemospect with an alternative device as soon as possible. The organization has contacted the Health Products Regularity Authority about the issue with haemospect, which is used in Austria and Germany as well.
“We are determined to have this matter resolved as soon as possible,” Dr Murphy said. “We are confident that this issue . . . has not had any impact on blood received by patients.”
A device used to measure hemoglobin can deliver inaccurate results and may have prompted an increase in anemia among blood donors in Ireland, according to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS).
The IBTS began using the device—called haemospect—in July 2014 but recently discovered that it cannot detect anemia accurately in all cases.
This may have resulted in anemic individuals donating blood or caused individuals to become anemic by donating.
The IBTS said this issue likely affected female donors more than males, so the organization has decided to temporarily stop taking blood donations from women who have donated in the last 18 months.
The IBTS also said it will perform a full blood count on all male and female donors going forward, until this issue has been resolved.
“Until we have a resolution to the problem that has arisen, we are asking male donors to attend our clinics and give blood,” said IBTS Medical and Scientific Director William Murphy, MD.
“We need male donors to make an extra effort to donate and maintain the blood supply. We will be double-checking all hemoglobin results on these donors.”
Discovering the problem
Haemospect is a noninvasive device that uses white light to detect hemoglobin levels. The device is made by the German company MBR Optical Systems.
IBTS learned of the potential for inaccuracies with haemospect after a blood donor contacted the organization. She had been diagnosed as severely anemic by her doctor but had given blood the week before.
“We have now discovered that the device gives inaccurate results in some individuals with anemia down to, and probably below, 8.4 g/dL,” Dr Murphy said. “As a result of the issue . . . , some women, and probably a much smaller number of men, could have been rendered iron-deficient and anemic from blood donation in the past 18 months.”
Steps to resolution
Since the issue was discovered, more than 30 women with anemia have been identified and contacted. The IBTS said it will contact all donors who are found to be anemic.
“Over the next few weeks, we will introduce new software to reanalyze all the electronic results from all donors who have been tested and accepted for donation since we introduced this device,” Dr Murphy said. “Any discrepant results will be notified to the donors involved.”
Dr Murphy also said donors who think they might be anemic or iron-deficient should visit their doctors for testing, and the IBTS will foot the bill. Concerned donors can contact the IBTS at 1850 731137.
The IBTS plans to replace haemospect with an alternative device as soon as possible. The organization has contacted the Health Products Regularity Authority about the issue with haemospect, which is used in Austria and Germany as well.
“We are determined to have this matter resolved as soon as possible,” Dr Murphy said. “We are confident that this issue . . . has not had any impact on blood received by patients.”