Experience with 11,916 designated donors.

From June, 1984, through December, 1985, Irwin Memorial Blood Bank drew 11,916 designated donors. The original protocol, filled with barriers that the donors and patients had to follow, was changed to an open protocol that was easy to follow. Patients wanted to participate in the program regardless of the obstacles so we removed them, making it easier for the patients and donors as well as the staff at the blood bank. 3063 designated donors were compared to 3201 homologous and 3439 first-time, non-designated donors. The three groups did not differ in any of the comparisons, deferral rate, age, sex, race, blood type, and test results. We conclude that these designated donations were no safer but no less safe than donations not designated.