Introduction: Blood safety is always remaining a point of concern. In blood bank all the procedures are starting with donor selection. Individuals disqualified from donating blood are known as “deferred” donors Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate and analyze the blood donor deferral pattern, apply these findings to recruit them in future for donation and to compare with previous published studies. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study of blood donors was done of four years from January 2013 to December 2016 at tertiary care center. Donor deferral data was analyzed from indoor and outdoor donor forms and registers. Results: Total 4902 potential blood donors were screened at our institute and our outdoor voluntary blood donation camps. 4399 (89.74%) were accepted for blood donation and 503 (10.26%) were deferred. Total number of temporary deferral was 408 and permanent deferral was 95. Discussion: In our study the deferral rate was 10.26%. In order to lessen the loss of blood donors and future recruitment of potential temporary blood donors this study was conducted. Low hemoglobin was the commonest cause (53.20%) of temporary deferral. The commonest age group of deferral is 18-25 years age group. Conclusion: A donor directory should be made and a special mention in it should be there of temporary deferral donors for future recruitment of them. Analysis of deferral pattern helps in formulating a policy for deferral that helps to prevent loss of blood unit by future recruitment of temporary deferred donors and to ensure safe transfusion by forming a permanent deferral registry.

Keywords: Blood Safety; Screening; Donor Deferral.