The following question was submitted to the e-Network for discussion: "I am interested to know whether your organization uses a computer system to question donors. We currently use a paper "Donor Questionnaire Form" that is then assessed by an interviewing nurse. Their details are entered into a computer, but I am wondering if any other organizations are getting donors to "fill-in" their questionnaire on computer (like we have at the DMV when sitting for your drivers license)."

Here are the replies:

1. According to a representative of BSI, that organization uses a computerized donor interview process. However, they do not allow the donor to enter their own responses. Rather, interviewers ask all questions and enter all responses. This process is used at both fixed and mobile collection sites. Paper forms are used as part of a back up procedure in the event the computer fails. Mobile interviews are performed on a laptop computer that is linked to a server via a wireless LAN. An upload disk is created and is returned with blood pickups. This data on the disk is loaded into a main database when the blood is returned to the component laboratory.

2. Gulf Coast in Houston Texas and Memorial Blood Centers in Minnesota are reported to be implementing the Digitrax system that includes a computer-based donor interview within the next 12 months.

3. Several US blood centers have recently implemented (or plan to implement soon) computerized screening of blood donors. These centers and their contact persons are as follows:

1. Memorial Blood Centers of MN - Jed Gorlin, MD (Using Digitrax)
2. Belle Bonfils (Colorado) - William Dickey MD (Using Talisman)
3. Oklahoma Blood Services - Ron Gilcher, MD (Using Talisman)
4. Gulf Coast Blood Center - Don't know contact person's name. (Using Digitrax)

Both Digitrax and Talisman have screening programs, but they differ substantially. Talisman allows for a touch screen, donor-administered approach, whereas, Digitrax requires a blood bank staff person to actually operate the laptop and put in the donor answers. The places using Talisman right now are doing it under an NHLBI grant, which puts them more into the research vs. operational category. Also, a French company (MAK System) has an entire blood center computer package that includes a module for computerized screening.

4. According to a medical director affiliated with the American Red Cross, the Red Cross has no immediate plans to implement a computerized donor questionnaire.

ADDENDA Nov. 30, 2000

5. After reading the discussion regarding computer assisted donor screening, an e-network member commented that "The Talisman system has been around for years and demo-ed at AABB several years ago. Any idea what the problems have been in its gaining acceptance?"

6. Donor-ID is a product developed for Digi-Trax by Healthcare-ID (the developers of I-TRAC PLUS, a transfusion verification product) to computerize more than just the donor questionnaire. It is designed to collect information throughout the donor collection process including registration, health history, physical exam, and phlebotomy. It interfaces to the blood center's information system. To update you on the status of users on the system product as of November 22, 2000:

• Gulf Coast Blood Center is in the process of finishing training staff and is starting to use the system in production. A point of contact for them would be Doug McClain.
• Memorial Blood Centers of Minnesota is in the process of installation of the system. The current projected live date is the June 2001

An application is under development for a hand-held device, to be given to donors so that they can answer some of the health history questions. California points of contact for the system can be found by calling 1-800-356-6126.

7. New York Blood Center currently does not utilize computer-assisted interview/questionnaire tools. However that center reports that they have obtained the Progesa software package from MAK Systems. There is an automated donor eligibility and questionnaire application. The center is in the process of evaluating it as well as the Digitrax system.

8. Thank you to everyone for your responses to my initial question regarding on-line donor questioning and the use of computer systems in blood banking. It is interesting to see that the New York Blood Centre is about to evaluate Progesa from MAK. Here in Australia we go live with "Progesa" nationwide within the next 12 months, although there are no plans to change our paper questionaire.

Please submit comments to the e-Network Forum.

Ira A. Shulman, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Editor & Moderator