AN INTERVIEW WITH OLGA G. MAKEDONSKAYA, THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF BLOOD DONOR CENTER IN THE REPUBLIC OF MORDOVIA

On the 7th All-Russian Forum of Blood Service the Blood Donor Center of the Republic of Mordovia got the majority of votes and became the absolute winner in the competition of professional mastery «Blood Service’s institution – 2014». Olga G. Makedonskaya, the medical director of Blood Donor Center in the Republic of Mordovia, disclosed her secret of success and told us her plans for the future in the interview.

Olga G. Makedonskaya, the medical director of Blood Donor Center in the Republic of Mordovia

— Olga G. Makedonskaya, you presented the Blood Donor Center of the Republic of Mordovia which became the absolute winner in the competition of professional mastery «Blood Service’s Institution – 2014». How did you manage to achieve such a great result?

The recognition of our excellence by professional community is very important for us. But you should remember that it is an assessment of all region activity.

The Public Council of Donation Development in the Republic of Mordovia made a substantial contribution to the future development of blood donation public awareness campaign. For example, a Coordination center of the Public Council is situated in the Blood Donor Center of the Republic of Mordovia, that is really good for the effective synergy with authorities, nonprofit organizations, volunteers, honorary donors, educational institutions of primary, secondary, or higher vocational level, industrial organization managers and governmental organizations. This teamwork also helps to provide a minimum supply level of blood and its components getting from free-will donors in the Blood Donor Center of the Republic of Mordovia.

During last 5 years we have been done extensive development measures in the Blood Donor Center of the Republic of Mordovia. For instance, we made full repair of the building, made comfort conditions for the staff and coming donors, built isolated accommodation for the provision, conversion and storage of blood.

Other important thing that we made was a participation of our region in different activities of the Government Program by heading FMBA of Russia. As a result, we have got a computer-equipped informational system of transfusiology and integration of regional Donor Center in common database of Russian Donorship.

Modern high tech medical equipment provides an opportunity to make high quality and safety components of donated blood.

Our institution is organizational center for all medical institutions of our region. Transfusiologists in cooperation with other freelance professional specialists and visiting medical doctors of Ministry of Health in the Republic of Mordovia keep a check on using components of donated blood, set up regional standards and programs of transfusion therapy.

Also the Blood Donor Center of the Republic of Mordovia does a lot of learning activity for medical students.

— What changes have occurred in the Blood Donor Center in 2014? What plans are you going to realize next year?

In 2014 the Bank of Blood Cryopreserved Organules was created in the Republic of Mordovia. It included storage of red blood cells. Also the method of red blood cells quarantine was introduced.

Thanks to common database of Russian Donorship we turned our work with donors into non-legible form. Now we have the opportunity to know the information about visiting donors from their electronic cards and make appointments in electronic way too. This year the Blood Donor Center of the Republic of Mordovia got on-line registration office.

At the present time we face reorganization and modernization of Public Health Service in the Republic of Mordovia. The structure and the size of bed capacity is changing and needs in components of donated blood are changing too. At the same time we have made a qualitative leap in the clinical transfusion medicine. The immune serological monitoring was also introduced, that is why all of the hemotransfusions were carried out in keeping with recipient’s phenotype. The number of transfusions of donated blood components to patients, who have aggravated history, was also increased.

Future plans of our Blood Donor Center includes a development of blood saving techniques, auto donation, getting, grouping and storage of stem cells for onco-hematology units, increasing safety of transfusion therapy, retention of regular donors activity, integrated blood donation public awareness campaign and involvement of young people.

— What main trends in the development of Donation Movement have you noticed in recent years in Russia?

Today Donation Movement in Russia unites patriotic self-starters who aimed at creation and acts of kindness. These young people lead a healthy lifestyle. They make a practice of the regular donation of blood. This community includes volunteers and social leaders, different organizations – partners of Blood Service in Russia and all the medical community with the primary goal of prevention of donated blood deficit.

— Please, share with your work experience. What is the secret of strong friendship between the Blood Donor Center and the donor?

Donor is the main guest of our Blood Donor Center. The cozy atmosphere, cleanliness, friendly and high-qualified medical personnel, electronic record for donations at a convenient time – all of these factors help to create a comfortable environment for donors. Automation of blood banking process, only single-use materials and tools, new high-technology ways of health record, mobile blood sampling stations increase a trust level, satisfaction with the quality of medical services and have a positive impact on donor activity.

Staff members give medical and legal consultations to donors, take an opinion poll, analyze critical feedback, take into account different suggestions and always bless “Thank you, Donor!”

— How do you work with business structure? Tell us, how to make the mutually beneficial partnership between the blood institutions and the business community that can be interesting for both sides?

Annually the Blood Donor Center holds hundreds of Donor Days at the enterprises in the Republic of Mordovia. There are strong partnerships for many years. Mutual understanding and respect between the Blood Service and members of the Corporate Donorship is the main key to success. Region leaders support socially-oriented business, regional media makes social advertisements about donor initiatives in commercial organizations. In recent years there has been a tendency to increase the number of small companies with a staff of up to 30 people who want to become partners with the Blood Service. There are donor programs on the basis of blood transfusion station for such organizations.

At the end of the year the most active and creative partners of Blood Service will be awarded with commemorative prizes and thanked. It is a tradition.

— Can you give a piece of advice to your colleagues and some wishes to donors for the coming year?

Dear Colleagues and Donors!

Blood Service of the Republic of Mordovia wishes you a Happy New Year 2015!

We wish you peace and prosperity, good donor health and longevity, professional success, trusted friends and responsible partners, creative ideas and the development of Donor Movement!

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