Handling of third party information in the context of blood donation

Abstract

The entire relationship between blood donors and the blood collection service is based on trust. Donors understand that the blood service has to be very careful in its selection procedures. Approximately 20,000 blood donors are seen annually in Malta and the vast majority of donors are committed, altruistic and correctly answer the screening questions designed to eliminate donors with risks to themselves or to the potential recipients. However it is known that sometimes very few donors are not completely open and occasionally information is received by a third party about a donor which, if given by the donor, would have precluded donation. How this information is handled is critically important, since the blood service would not wish to compromise the trust which has been built with the vast majority of donors over the years. It becomes a difficult balancing act to ensure the rights of the donor and those of the third party are all respected.