Comparison of hemoglobin color scale diagnostic value with photometric method in blood donor selection in Isfahan blood transfusion organization

Importance of hemoglobin (Hb) screening for blood donors persuades blood centers to try to estimate hemoglobin via faster, simpler, and more reliable methods. This study evaluated the diagnostic value of the methods for blood donor selection. In this cross-sectional study, 256 non-selective whole blood donors entered the study after written consents were obtained. Three drops of capillary blood and 2 ml of venous blood mixed with EDTA were collected from blood donors before donation for the purpose of Hb screening by the use of colour scale (HCS) and photometric methods and blood cell analysis. Data were analyzed by using t-paired test, Pearson correlation, and SPSS17. Mean Hb values in cell analyzer, capillary and venous photometric methods were 15.5 ± 1.4, 16.5 ± 1. 4, and 16.1 ± 1.4, respectively. Hb screening using venous photometric method had the highest correlation with cell analysis (r = 0.933) while the correlation of capillary photometric method was the second highest (r = 0.823). Bias was estimated 0.2-0.6 mg/dl at Hb range of 11 g/dl and lower. The sensitivity and specificity using the capillary photometric method were 100 and 97 at Hb level of 12.5 g/dl, respectively. The more the level of Hb of blood donors, the less the values of specificity and sensitivity. The best sensitivity and specificity values in capillary HCS at Hb level of 12 g/dl were 97.3% and 66.7%, respectively. The photometric method is reliable and accurate for Hb screening of first time donors, female donors, and those exposed to anemia. Blood centers could use nonexpensive methods such as HCS and microhematocrit in testing donors.