Individual donor assessment questionnaire will determine eligibility
RWJBarnabas Health revised the System’s blood donor process with the introduction of the Individual Donor Assessment (IDA) questionnaire. The questionnaire will make donations more inclusive, extending blood donation opportunities to more people irrespective of sexual orientation, gender, or sex.
Under the FDA guidelines all potential donors will undergo screening using a modified questionnaire that assesses the risk of HIV based on individual sexual behavior, recent partners, and other relevant factors.
The new questionnaire is designed to be gender-inclusive, providing an individual risk assessment for all blood donors to minimize the HIV risk in the blood supply. All blood donations undergo comprehensive testing, ensuring their safety for patients by screening for HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis B and C, West Nile Virus, and other bloodborne infectious diseases.
“Individual assessments will make the blood donation process more inclusive, expanding the opportunity to contribute and ensuring equal treatment for all, regardless of gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation,” said Sally Wells, Business Development and Community Liaison for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s Blood Donor Center. “The questionnaire is required to be completed by every potential donor to assess eligibility.”
Additionally, RWJBarnabas Health Blood Services is revising deferrals for individuals who had previously spent time in specific European countries (such as the United Kingdom and France) and military bases potentially at risk for CJD or vCJD, commonly known as “mad cow disease.” The revision is based on the FDA’s determination that these risks are no longer a concern, as investigations have not revealed documented cases of vCJD transmission through blood transfusions. Most individuals previously deferred are now eligible to donate blood if they meet all other donor requirements.
“These changes will enable historically ineligible donors to contribute which is critical as we move into the winter when blood donations typically drop and hospitals are often faced with blood supply shortages,” added Sally Wells. “We look forward to welcoming both new and returning donors at our blood services donor rooms and mobile drives.”
Donors must be 16 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds (120 pounds if 16 years old), and present photo identification. If the donor has a history of viral hepatitis at age 11 or older or is recovering from an infectious illness they are ineligible to donate.
For more information on the new guidelines and IDA questionnaire visit: rwjbh.org/treatment-care/blood-donation. To organize a blood drive in your community, please call Sally Wells at 732-558-4983 or email sally.wells@rwjbh.org or visit rwjbh.org/treatment-care/blood-donation/
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