Background and Objectives The “Pan-European Transfusion Research InfrAstructure” (PETRA) project was established to advance the use of donor, blood product, and patient datasets in Europe, aiming to benefit both patient and donor health. Here, the initial PETRA objective was to describe the landscape of existing donor and blood establishment (BE) databases.

Materials and Methods An online survey was circulated to the European Blood Alliance’s BE members. The survey collected information on the feasibility of accessing donor data, and challenges and possibilities for linking these datasets with information on the associated blood products and transfusion recipients, and donors’ own health records.

Results Seventeen BEs across 16 countries completed the survey. The majority could, in principle, link their donor data to product data (13 BEs (76%)) and recipient data (10 BEs (59%)), for research purposes. However, capabilities were limited and in only 29% of the BEs was the donor to recipients’ linkage an automated process. BEs reported significant challenges to achieve full vein-to-vein linkage, including legal constraints and lack of consent (11 BEs) and resources (10-14 BEs). IT and data issues as well as lack of knowledge and training were cited as obstacles by a minority of BEs.

Conclusion Whilst the survey results suggest considerable interest in developing linkages between blood donors, their products, and recipients, many challenges remain due to a variety of obstacles. First steps in working towards a PETRA may be assistance to navigate legal frameworks as well as investing in resources and quality and harmonisation of data collections.

Highlights

17 blood establishments (BEs) in 16 countries responded to a survey on obstacles and opportunities for achieving vein-to-vein datasets.

In 59% of the BEs donor-to-recipient links can be established for research improving transfusion outcomes, but only in 29% this is an automated process.

In order to work towards a “Pan-European Transfusion Research InfrAstructure” (PETRA), legal frameworks, adequate donor consent and (financial and human) resources are the most common obstacles that require addressing.

Christian Erikstrup has received unrestricted research grants from Novo Nordisk (administered by Aarhus University) and Abbott Diagnostics (administered by Aarhus University Hospital). He has received no personal fees.

Funding for this project has been provided in part through an Agreement with the European Blood Alliance (EBA). The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the EBA, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation of use.

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The study uses a mix of data that does not fit the descriptions above. We surveyed Blood Establishments who provided on one hand aggregated information on numbers of donors and donations which are already publicly available such as in overviews by the European Blood Alliance (https://europeanbloodalliance.eu/membership/). On the other hand new organisational but not individual human data were provided. The Blood Establishments provided consent for us to use these data in the publication.

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