Evaluation of non-invasive hemoglobin measurement in blood donors at a tertiary care hospital, Bangkok, Thailand

by Ratinan Dangwilailert, Somboon Lekmak, Duangtida Promlee, Tanyaporn Pongkunakorn, Parichart Permpikul

Background

Hemoglobin (Hb) assessment is crucial to prevent blood donation from anemic donors. Most measurements are invasive and painful; however, an alternative, non-invasive hemoglobin measurement is available. This study aimed to compare non-invasive and point-of-care invasive hemoglobin test results with those from an automated blood analyzer in blood donors.

Methods

Qualified blood donors were enrolled at a tertiary care hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Hemoglobin was initially measured by the non-invasive device (Rad-67 Pulse CO-Oximeter) and a point-of-care invasive hemoglobin screening device (Mission HemoPro). Participants with point-of-care invasive hemoglobin ≥ 12.5 g/dL were eligible to donate, and during donation, standard hemoglobin measurements were obtained using an automated analyzer, XN-550. Those who were ineligible with point-of-care invasive hemoglobin  Results

Of 300 participants, 295 had complete data. Of these, 169 were male (57.28%). Average non-invasive, point-of-care, and automated hemoglobin levels were 14.38 ± 1.12 g/dL, 13.65 ± 0.70 g/dL, and 13.90 ± 1.16 g/dL, respectively. The ICC between non-invasive, point-of-care, and automated hemoglobin measurement was 0.600 (95% CI: 0.522–0.668) and 0.897 (95% CI: 0.872–0.957). The sensitivity of the non-invasive Hb measurement was poor for detecting anemic donors when the Hb cut-off was set at 12.5 g/dL. This method received significantly higher satisfaction than the routinely used invasive device.

Conclusion

The non-invasive Hb measurement in blood donors showed moderate agreement with the standard test, but the sensitivity was poor when the cut-off hemoglobin was set at 12.5 g/dl. Since donor satisfaction was higher, this method may be used as an alternative screening tool, provided a higher Hb cut-off value is used.