Experiences with Design and Implementation of a Match Related Donor Satisfaction Survey

Background:  Match related donors (MRDs) have long been a critical source of stem cells for patients needing an allogeneic transplant.  In both our center and across the country, approximately 30% of patients needing an allogeneic transplant will have a matched sibling who can serve as their donor.  While the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and other donor registries have done extensive research in to the donor experience for unrelated donors, much less is known about the experience of donors who are related to the patient.  As part of an effort to improve our services to these patients, we implemented a donor satisfaction survey specifically targeting these donors.

Methods:  We assessed both the current hospital patient survey and the current NMDP donor survey and designed a survey that would be delivered to adult peripheral blood and marrow MRDs on the first day of collection.  We assessed satisfaction with medical care, effectiveness of administrative coordination efforts, and barriers to donation.  We then reviewed individual surveys and compiled the feedback to assess needed changes.

Results:   In the first 6 months, we distributed the survey to 44 patients and received a 50% response rate.  Our overall satisfaction rating was quite high (4.9 out of 5), with approximately 35% of patients reporting no significant barriers to donation.  The top concerns for our donors included worry about the patient, ability to take time off to donate, travel, and fear of pain or other requirements of the procedure.   

Conclusion:  The feedback from the donor satisfaction survey has been valuable both for our program and for staff morale. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and our donor comments are shared with the staff quarterly.  A committee has been formed to review donor feedback and identify areas for improvement.  Going forward we hope to expand this survey to include pediatric patients, and to develop new donor material tailored to the feedback we’ve received.