Ophthalmic exam and ophthalmology residents’ subspecialty preference

AIM:To evaluate residents’perceptions and attitudes toward the various aspects of a comprehensive ophthalmic examination,and to determine if these factors correlate with their choices for fellowship and future career plans.METHODS:This is a cross-sectional study.A questionnaire on the perception of the ophthalmic exam was sent via SurveyMonkey to ophthalmology residents throughout Israel.Eighty of them(one-half of all ophthalmology residents in 2019)completed it.The first part related to how they perceived each component of the ophthalmic evaluation.The second part related to their future fellowship plans.The Chi-squared test was used to compare categorical variables and Student’s t-test and One-way ANOVA were used to compare continuous variables.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied as needed to detect interactions between variables and to exclude confounder effects.RESULTS:Slit-lamp examination of the anterior and posterior segments ranked as the most likeable aspects,whereas gonioscopy,ocular motility examination and visual acuity assessment were least likeable.Anterior segment and retina subspecialties were the ones most sought after.Forty-nine respondents(61.3%)noted a direct correlation between their preferred parts of comprehensive ophthalmic evaluations and their choice of subspecialty.Perceptions of selected components of those evaluations were significantly associated with responders’intentions to pursue anterior segment,retina,or oculoplastic fellowships(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Perspectives of residents toward the ophthalmic examination,and most specifically its individual components,play an important role in their choice of subspecialty training.

Attitude and willingness on gamete donation among medical students:An experience from a state university in Sri Lanka

Objective:To assess the attitude and willingness of medical students of the Faculty of Medicine,University of Jaffna,regarding gamete donation.Methods:An institutional-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine,University of Jaffna,from September 2022 to May 2023 among undergraduate medical students who gave their voluntary participation.A self-administered questionnaire was used as a study instrument to collect data regarding their attitude and willingness toward gamete donation.Results:A total of 345 participants were recruited and their sociodemographic data revealed that 56.8%of the participants were female,62.3%aged between 26 and 30 years,and 92.2%were unmarried.Many of them received information regarding gamete donations during their clinical appointments.Over half(67.8%)of them showed a negative attitude towards gamete donation.Regarding willingness,only 39.7%of participants had a positive approach for being a gamete donor;among them,84.7%preferred anonymous donations.Religion and ethnicity had a significant influence on their attitudes and willingness.In addition,male was also found to be more willing to donate gametes.Conclusions:Most medical students have negative views about gamete donation.Imparting awareness and knowledge of assisted reproductive technology and gamete donation within medical students'sociocultural and ethical backgrounds might facilitate a change in attitude towards gamete donation amongst future medical practitioners.

Impact of Regular Blood Donation on Body Iron Stores at Saudi Blood Donors

Introduction: One of the most frequent observations in long-term blood donation is chronic iron deficiency, which can develop into anaemia. The majority of blood screening methods employed by blood banks do not incorporate iron-status markers, which may result in potential subclinical iron deficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of repeated blood donation on the levels of iron in the body and to guide blood donors in preventing the depletion of iron stores. Methods: Regular blood donors were categorised into distinct groups according to the number of donations they gave, and then the correlation between these groups and their bodies’ iron levels was examined. Different parameters were employed to identify iron deficiency and iron depletion in blood donors: serum ferritin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and serum iron. Results: The study included 300 individuals who regularly and willingly donated blood. There were no iron insufficiency cases among those donating blood for the first time (Group I). However, 15.5% of individuals who had donated once before (Group II) had ferritin levels of 15 - 30 μg/dl (ng/ml), indicating reduced iron stores. The rate increased to 18% (37 out of 206 individuals) among regular blood donors (Groups III, IV, and V). Iron deficiency (depletion) prevalence among regular blood donors in Groups III, IV, and V was 5.9% (12 out of 206) and 50.4% (100 out of 206). Donors who had donated blood most frequently had the lowest levels of haematological markers MCH, MCHC, and TIBC. Provide the p-values representing the differences between the means of MCV, MCH, iron, TIBC, and ferritin levels when comparing donor groups with the control group (Group I) based on the frequency of donations. Indicate statistically significant differences where the p-value is less than 0.0125. This significance level is adjusted based on the Bonferroni method, considering multiple independent tests. The result shows that the Iron parameter for the comparison between Group I and Group III and Group I and Group IV suggests a statistically significant difference in iron levels between these donor groups. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that a higher times of donations lads to a higher occurrence of depleted iron stores and subsequent erythropoiesis with iron deficiency by one donor from every three healthy donors. The iron and ferritin concentrations were within the normal range in group one (Control group) and reduced in the other four groups (G-2 to G-5). However, the level of haemoglobin remained within an acceptable range for blood donation. This outcome suggests that it may be necessary to reassess the criteria for accepting blood donors. The average serum ferritin levels were examined in all five groups (G-1 to G-5), both for males and females, and significant variations were seen among the groups under study. This study found that 35% of the individuals who regularly donate blood have iron-deficient anaemia (sideropenia). This suggests that it would be beneficial to test for serum ferritin at an earlier stage, ideally after three donations.

Analysis of Influencing Factors on Fruit Consumption of Urban and Rural Residents in Beijing

In light of the rapid expansion of China s economy,there has been a notable shift in the consumption patterns of urban and rural residents.This is evident in the increased consumption of agricultural products,with fruit consumption representing a particularly pronounced trend.The 2023 Beijing Consumption Statistics indicate that demand for fruit is increasing,accompanied by heightened competition for quality and brands.The paper is based on research that examines the current situation of fruit consumption among urban and rural residents in Beijing.The results indicate that when urban and rural residents in Beijing purchase fruits,price is the most significant factor influencing fruit consumption.Taste,appearance,and variety are also considered to be important influencing factors,while the influence of factors such as fruit type,consumption pattern,and fruit brand is relatively minor.

Pros and cons of live kidney donation in prediabetics: A critical review and way forward

There is shortage of organs,including kidneys,worldwide.Along with deceased kidney transplantation,there is a significant rise in live kidney donation.The prevalence of prediabetes(PD),including impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance,is on the rise across the globe.Transplant teams frequently come across prediabetic kidney donors for evaluation.Prediabetics are at risk of diabetes,chronic kidney disease,cardiovascular events,stroke,neuropathy,retinopathy,dementia,depression and nonalcoholic liver disease along with increased risk of all-cause mortality.Unfortunately,most of the studies done in prediabetic kidney donors are retrospective in nature and have a short follow up period.There is lack of prospective long-term studies to know about the real risk of complications after donation.Furthermore,there are variations in recommendations from various guidelines across the globe for donations in prediabetics,leading to more confusion among clinicians.This increases the responsibility of transplant teams to take appropriate decisions in the best interest of both donors and recipients.This review focuses on pathophysiological changes of PD in kidneys,potential complications of PD,other risk factors for development of type 2 diabetes,a review of guidelines for kidney donation,the potential role of diabetes risk score and calculator in kidney donors and the way forward for the evaluation and selection of prediabetic kidney donors.

The Impact of the Digital Economy on Rural Residents’Working Hours:Mechanisms and Empirical Evidence

The rapid development of the digital economy has provided a new impetus for rural residents to extend their working hours.Based on the data collected by the China Labor-force Dynamics Survey(CLDS)in 2014,2016,and 2018,this paper measured the development level of the digital economy in China from the perspectives of internet development and digital financial inclusion,and tested the mechanisms of how the digital economy affected rural residents’working hours.The results showed that the digital economy extended rural residents’working hours by expanding information channels and enhancing human capital,and this mechanism was affected by heterogeneity in rural residents’educational background,age,and social capital.Building on these findings,this paper holds that to increase rural residents’income by extending their working hours and achieving common prosperity for all,it is necessary to expand the opportunities for rural residents to participate in skills training and promote their accumulation of human capital.

Assessment of Online Transgender Healthcare Teaching Modules for Internal Medicine Residents and Fellows

Background: Transgender healthcare is not a formal learning requirement in Internal Medicine residency or fellowship. The National LGBTQ Task Force appealed to urgently train clinicians on the effective care of transgender patients. Few studies address the successful implementation of transgender healthcare teaching and education in graduate medical education. Purpose: The purpose was to design an online asynchronous curriculum to address the need for improved transgender healthcare education in graduate medical education and assess change in knowledge and comfort in transgender healthcare for residents and fellow learners. Methods: A 6-module curriculum was developed using established guidelines and ACGME competencies as a framework for content. To assess curriculum effectiveness, participants received anonymous pre- and post-curriculum surveys which included a multiple-choice knowledge assessment, Likert scale comfort questions focusing on healthcare skills, and open-ended feedback questions. Results: Twenty-six internal medicine residents and fellows participated in the curriculum (2022-2023). There was a 69% post-survey response rate. Participants improved their gender-affirming knowledge after completing the curriculum (p Conclusion: This online curriculum was successful in increasing knowledge and comfort in transgender care for IM residents and fellows. It provides a promising framework to address this gap in curricular content.

The Prediction for the Consumer Price Index of Residents in Perspective of Time Series Method in Case of Chongqing

The consumer price index (CPI) measures the relative number of changes in the price level of consumer goods and services over time, reflecting the trend and degree of changes in the price level of goods and services purchased by residents. This article uses the ARMA model to analyze the fluctuation trend of the CPI (taking Chongqing as an example) and make short-term predictions. To test the predictive performance of the model, the observation values from January to December 2023 were retained as the reference object for evaluating the predictive accuracy of the model. Finally, through trial predictions of the data from May to August 2023, it was found that the constructed model had good fitting performance.

Application of BOPPPS + Mind Maps to Improve Clinical Competence of General Practitioner Residents: Taking Cough as an Example

Objective:To analyze the importance of general practitioner residents using the combined teaching method(BOPPPS+mind maps).Methods:From September 2023 to August 2024,a study was conducted with 6 control group participants receiving traditional teaching and 6 observation group participants receiving the combined teaching method(BOPPPS+mind maps).The study analyzed various indicators between the two groups(including mind map scores and assessment results).Results:Compared with the control group,the assessment scores of the observation group were significantly higher(P<0.05).Conclusion:The application of the combined teaching method(BOPPPS+mind maps)by general practitioner residents can significantly improve their comprehensive abilities.

Effectiveness of Comprehensive Nursing Management in Enhancing Blood Donation Outcomes and Donor Experience: A Comparative Study

Objective:To assess the management effect of comprehensive nursing management on blood donation services in blood stations.Methods:Sixty-four individuals who donated blood at a blood station between September 2021 and September 2023 were selected and randomly assigned into two groups of 32 each.The first group received comprehensive nursing management,while the second group received routine nursing management.Blood donation indexes and observational indexes such as adverse reactions were compared between the groups.Results:The total blood donation volume and qualified blood donation volume were higher in the first group than in the second group.The amount of discarded blood and the rate of blood discards were lower in the first group compared to the second group(P<0.05).Additionally,the adverse reaction rate in the first group was lower,the blood donation comfort scores were higher,the psychological state scores were lower,and the quality of care scores were higher than those in the second group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Comprehensive nursing management can improve the efficiency of blood donation,reduce the rate of blood discards,decrease the incidence of adverse reactions,alleviate negative psychological states of blood donors,and enhance both the comfort level of blood donation and the quality of care provided.

Exploration of the Integration of Curriculum Ideology and Politics into the Educational Pathway of Standardized Training for General Practice Residents

In recent years,the national higher education reform has proposed the concept of curriculum ideological and political education as a major element.This integration into the standardized training of general practice residents(commonly referred to as general resident training)is an unavoidable trend in the teaching field.Based on the actual situation of our unit at The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Medical University,this paper emphasizes the necessity of incorporating ideological and political education into the general resident training curriculum,despite the absence of pertinent practical experience in how to effectively incorporate such courses into comprehensive residential training.In our hospital,we must assess the ideological and political education in the curriculum of general resident training,proposing a scientific,reasonable ideological and political education concept system for general practice courses,integrating ideological and political education with general practice resident training,and strengthening the team of ideological and political education physicians to teach them to carry out such education,this would foster enthusiasm and initiative.Strengthening admission education and training for general practice resident training,as well as regularly hosting symposiums to share ideas and understand the mission of doctors can provide effective experience for ideological and political education in general resident training courses.

Older liver grafts from donation after circulatory death are associated with impaired survival and higher incidence of biliary non-anastomotic structure

Background:Grafts from older donors after circulatory death were associated with inferior outcome in liver transplants in the past.But it has seemed to remain controversial in the last decade,as a result of modified clinical protocols,selected recipients,and advanced technology of organ perfusion and preservation.The present study aimed to examine the impact of older donor age on complications and survival of liver transplant using grafts from donation after circulatory death(DCD).Methods:A total of 944 patients who received DCD liver transplantation from 2015 to 2020 were included and divided into two groups:using graft from older donor(aged≥65 years,n=87)and younger donor(age<65 years,n=857).Propensity score matching(PSM)was applied to eliminate selection bias.Results:A progressively increased proportion of liver transplants with grafts from older donors was observed from 1.68%to 15.44%during the study period.The well-balanced older donor(n=79)and younger donor(n=79)were 1:1 matched.There were significantly more episodes of biliary nonanastomotic stricture(NAS)in the older donor group than the younger donor group[15/79(19.0%)vs.6/79(7.6%);P=0.017].The difference did not reach statistical significance regarding early allograft dysfunction(EAD)and primary non-function(PNF).Older livers had a trend toward inferior 1-,2-,3-year graft and overall survival compared with younger livers,but these differences were not statistically significant(63.1%,57.6%,57.6%vs.76.9%,70.2%,67.7%,P=0.112;64.4%,58.6%,58.6%vs.76.9%,72.2%,72.2%,P=0.064).The only risk factor for poor survival was ABO incompatible transplant(P=0.008)in the older donor group.In the subgroup of ABO incompatible cases,it demonstrated a significant difference in the rate of NAS between the older donor group and the younger donor group[6/8(75.0%)vs.3/14(21.4%);P=0.014].Conclusions:Transplants with grafts from older donors(aged≥65 years)after circulatory death are more frequently associated with inferior outcome compared to those from younger donors.Older grafts from DCD are more likely to develop NAS,especially in ABO incompatible cases.

Flipped classroom approach to global outreach:cross-cultural teaching of horizontal strabismus to Chinese ophthalmology residents

AIM:To evaluate the flipped classroom model for teaching horizontal strabismus didactics in an ophthalmology residency program in China as part of a visiting professorship from the United States.METHODS:Residents from an ophthalmology residency program in China were invited to participate in flipped classroom sessions taught by an experienced American ophthalmology faculty in 2018.Residents were instructed to watch a pre-class video lecture prior to the in-class-casebased activity.Content tests(5 Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program style questions)and surveys were administered before and after the classroom sessions(100%response rate).These results were compared to that of an American cohort who were taught the same content.RESULTS:The Chinese cohort of 12 residents preferred the flipped classroom to the traditional classroom at higher rates than the American cohort of 40 residents(92%vs 55%,P=0.04)and felt that all ophthalmology topics would be appropriate for the flipped classroom teaching style(P-values between 0.008 and<0.001).In both Chinese and American cohorts,we found that the exotropia curriculum saw a small but significant improvement in performance following the flipped classroom session(P=0.025 for Chinese residents;P=0.001 for US residents),whereas scores in both groups for the esotropia course did not significantly improve.CONCLUSION:This is the first study to evaluate the flipped classroom model implemented by a visiting ophthalmology professor in a global outreach setting.The flipped classroom sessions are viewed favorably by the Chinese residents relative to the US cohort with a modest impact on knowledge.Decreased in-person interpreter requirement and increased student engagement make this model valuable in cross-cultural visiting professorship settings.Finally,the flipped classroom may lend itself well to a virtual format to prevent the transmission of COVID-19,although such a format requires further study.

Changing landscape in living kidney donation in Greece

Patients with end-stage renal disease in Greece are facing long waiting times to receive a kidney transplant from a deceased donor.Living kidney donation offers a valuable alternative that provides optimal outcomes and significantly expands the donor pool but still remains relatively underutilised.Developments around the world in the field of kidney transplantation mandate a change in current practice to include additional options for living donation through paired exchange,antibody-incompatible transplantation and other strategies,following careful consideration of the cultural and ethical factors involved in these complex clinical decisions.An increase in living donation rates may be achieved in several ways,including targeted campaigning to overcome potential barriers.Educating clinicians on transplantation will prove as equally important as informing patients and prospective donors but requires training and resources.Adoption of established practices and implementation of new strategies must be tailored to the needs of the Greek donor and recipient population.Local beliefs about donation,perception of associated risk and other social characteristics must be considered in the design of future strategies.Facilitating living donation in a safe environment with appropriate donor and recipient education will form the solid foundation of a new era of kidney transplantation in Greece.

Harnessing Blockchain to Address Plasma Donation Network Challenges

Plasma therapy is an extensively used treatment for critically unwell patients.For this procedure,a legitimate plasma donor who can continue to supply plasma after healing is needed.However,significant dangers are associated with supply management,such as the ambiguous provenance of plasma and the spread of infected or subpar blood into medicinal fabrication.Also,from an ideological standpoint,less powerful people may be exploited throughout the contribution process.Moreover,there is a danger to the logistics system because there are now just some plasma shippers.This research intends to investigate the blockchain-based solution for blood plasma to facilitate authentic plasma transfer.Blockchain parameters,including electronic identification,chain code,and certified ledgers,have the potential to exert a substantial,profound influence on the distribution and implementation process of blood banks.To understand the practical ramifications of blockchain,the current study provides a proof of concept approach that aims to simulate the procedural code of modern plasma distribution ecosystems using a blockchain-based architecture.The agent-based modeling used in the testing and evaluation mimics the supply chain to assess the blockchain’s feasibility,advantages,and constraints for the plasma.

Daily activities and training experiences of urology residents during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Indonesia: A nationwide survey

Objective:To explore the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic on the training experiences of urology residents in Indonesia.Methods:A cross-sectional study using a web-based questionnaire(SurveyMonkey)involved all registered urology residents in Indonesia.The questionnaire was structured in Bahasa Indonesia,composed of 28 questions,and divided into three sections:demographic characteristics,current daily activities,and opinions regarding training experiences during the COVID-19 outbreak.The survey was distributed to all respondents via chief of residents in each urology center from May 26,2020 to Jun 2,2020.Results:Of the total 247 registered urology residents,243 were eligible for the study.The response and completeness rate for this study were 243/243(100%).The median age of respondents was 30(range:24e38)years old,and 92.2%of them were male.Among them,6(2.5%)respondents were confirmed as COVID-19 positive.A decrease in residents’involvement in clinical and surgical activities was distinguishable in endourological and open procedures.Most educational activities were switched to web-based video conferences,while others opted for the in-person method.Smart learning methods,such as joining a national or international speaker webinar or watching a recorded video,were used by 93.8%and 80.7%of the respondents,respectively.The respondents thought that educational activities using web-based video conferences and smart learning methods were effective methods of learning.Overall,the respondents felt unsure whether training experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic were comparable to the respective period before.Conclusion:The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected urology residents’training experiences.However,it also opened up new possibilities for incorporating new learning methodologies in the future.

“There Are Many Cases That You Carry with You That Leave Scars”: Burnout and Secondary Trauma among Pediatric Residents in Routine and Covid Times

The current research joins previous studies in examining post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and burnout among healthcare workers. The research focuses on the experiences of pediatric residents working in an emergency department both in normal times and during the Covid pandemic. Research conducted prior to and during the Covid pandemic outbreak shows negative psychological effects among healthcare workers. Most of that research was conducted within the positivistic-quantitative paradigm. The current study is qualitative and focuses on pediatric residents who provide medical services to a unique population in a peripheral region of Israel, namely the Bedouin-Arab population. The research questions are the following: What characterizes pediatric residents’ work, in general and during the pandemic? Do they show signs of burnout and secondary trauma? How do they perceive their work with the Bedouin-Arab population, especially during the pandemic? The study, conducted within the phenomenological genre, included 14 pediatric residents in a large hospital in Israel’s periphery. Semi-structured clinical interviews were employed, in addition to questionnaires that examined PTSD and burnout to enhance the reliability of the findings. The results show that all residents reported stressful incidents in which patients’ physical integrity was threatened. The residents described the special nature of the medical cases they treated in routine times and during the pandemic outbreak, which stems mostly from the specific characteristics the population of Israel’s periphery. While at the early stages of the pandemic, the residents experienced reduced work pressure, they reported substantial difficulties later in the crisis, which intensified their sense of physical and emotional stress. Most residents reported feeling inadequately prepared for dealing with traumatic events. According to the results, most residents displayed secondary trauma (12 participants in interviews and 11 in questionnaires), which can be classified into categories based on the DSM-5. In the interviews, all 14 participants reported various signs of burnout. The questionnaires indicated burnout symptoms among 10 participants. Giving a voice to pediatric residents, the study highlights the complexity of their routine work as well as their role during the Covid crisis. Based on the findings, recommendations have been made for policymakers. The study highlights the importance of raising awareness to the implications of the residents’ rough work conditions in routine and emergency times and to the need to develop social support and intervention programs that might improve their well-being during their professional work.

Health-related quality of life of pediatric living donor liver transplantation donors who undergone donation surgery for 10 years

Objective:To investigate the quality of life(QOL)of living donor liver transplantation(LDLT)donors.Methods:The Euro Qol 5-dimensional questionnaire(EQ-5D)was used to measure the QOL of donors.Results:One donor repor ted“a little problem”of mobility(MO),and 2 donors(9.1%)repor ted“a little problem”of usual activities(UA).Moreover,there were 8 donors(36.4%)and 7 donors(31.8%)declaring“a little problem”of pain/discomfor t(PD)and anxiety/depression(AD),respectively.And both dimensions have a donor repor ting“moderate problem.”The mean visual analog scale(VAS)was 83.1±12.4.Conclusions:Donors can gain a stable and preferable QOL after donation in both the shor t and long terms.ED-5D application in the field of liver transplant could be an effective choice in QOL studies.

Research on the Influence of the Digital Economy on Transforming Consumption Behavior Among Residents

Drawing on the essence of Marxist consumer economy theory,this paper argues that the innovations of digital technology can effectively facilitate the integration of economies of scale,economies of scope,and long-tail economies.Through careful analysis of the practical case of Xiaomi’s business ecosystem,this paper highlights the notion that data serve as both a key production factor and a critical consumption carrier within the context of digital consumption.We thoroughly investigated the influence of the digital economy on transforming consumption behavior among residents by analyzing a range of typical business cases and the latest data that triggered this transformation.Based on the analysis,this paper argues that such transformation can lead to the platform agglomeration effect,the inclusive diffusion effect,and the push-pull effect by highlighting the specific ways in which the digital economy disrupts the consumption-production model and contributes to the upgrading and transformation of traditional industries.Additionally,this paper demonstrates how the digital economy can expand and promote emerging business forms,providing insights into the ways in which digital innovation is reshaping the contemporary economic landscape.This study intends to provide several policy suggestions that can expand domestic demand,promote consumption,drive the high-quality and integrated development of China’s digital and real economy,and position China as a strong cyber and consumer nation by using digitalized consumption as a starting point.

Contribution to the Improvement of Transfusion Safety: Assessment of the Pre-Donation Hemoglobin Level at the Yamoussoukro Blood Transfusion Center in Cote d’Ivoire

Introduction: Despite the progress recorded at the level of transfusion safety in Côte d’Ivoire, much remains to be done, particularly at the level of the medical selection of blood donors. The objective of the study was to make an assessment of the pre-donation capillary hemoglobin dosage for the year 2020 of the fixed collection, of the Blood Transfusion Center of Yamoussoukro. Method: This is a retrospective study that took place at the Yamoussoukro Blood Transfusion Center. The data collection related to all old and new blood donors were deemed suitable for the fixed collection of the year 2020. The method chosen for the pre-donation control is that of the portable hemoglobinometer of the HémoCue® type, more precisely 201+. Results: Of the 1160 blood donors in the study, the pre-donation hemoglobin level was not measured in 787 (67.8%) subjects of either sex. Of the subjects who had a pre-donation hemoglobin level performed, 97 (26%) blood donors had a sub-standard hemoglobin level, including 15 females and 82 males. Conclusion: Pre-donation hemoglobin testing of blood donors is effective in Yamoussoukro. However, efforts must still be made to improve the quality of the blood collected and to protect blood donors.