Donor Questionnaire Undergoes Changes

Newest questions address West Nile Virus, SARS and Smallpox

The blood donor questionnaire, also called the blood donation record or BDR, is revised periodically to maintain the highest level of safety in accordance with current health issues and FDA regulations. There have been three changes recently with more expected on the horizon.

New Question and Testing for West Nile Virus
Donors are now asked if they have had a fever with a headache within the past seven days to coincide with new screening procedures for West Nile Virus.

Answer “yes” and additional questions will be asked to determine if a donor deferral of up to 28 days is required.

The Blood Bank of Hawaii also began testing all donations for WNV on July 14. Testing is one of a number of built-in safety measures against WNV, including the deferral of donors with any flu or cold symptoms. There have been no human cases of WNV in Hawaii to date.

WNV is an illness that can be spread from infected mosquitoes to birds, animals and humans. Most healthy people infected with the virus do not experience symptoms.

SARS Question Added
In addition to asking about travel outside of the United States, BBH added a question in April that states, “Have you had or do you know anyone who has had Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)?”

Donors who are suspected of having the illness, were treated for SARS, had contact with SARS infected patients or traveled to high risk areas (including China, Hong Kong; Hanoi, Vietnam and Singapore) within 14 days before arrival in the United States, are deferred from donating for up to 28 days.

Encourage Donors to Give Blood Before Smallpox Vaccination
Donors will be asked whether they have had a recent smallpox vaccination or close contact with someone else’s vaccination site. Donors who have been vaccinated are automatically required to wait at least three weeks from the date of their vaccine, and several variables determine additional deferral time up to 12 weeks.

Blood exposed to the vaccine could cause adverse reactions in patients receiving transfusions. According to federal health authorities, smallpox vaccination is not recommended for the general public at this time; however, members of the military and some civilian healthcare workers began receiving the vaccine this year. If your donors will be vaccinated, please encourage them to donate first to avoid the waiting period.

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