The role of personal interviews by direct questioning on blood donors with particular reference to prevention of transfusion-related infections : a Scottish perspective

Abstract

The prevention of blood transfusion-related infections, vis a vis, blood donors is based on (a) the careful selection of donors and (b) the testing of donor blood for infectious micro-organisms. The safety of plasma derivatives is further enhanced by additional virus inactivation procedures. It is well known that in most countries, including Scotland, the blood donor population differs significantly from the general population with respect to the socioeconomic status, ethnic background and importantly infectious disease markers; in some countries figures for the latter may be up to 100-fold lower than in the general population (Reesink, 1993). This paper attempts to deal with some aspects of donor selection, with particular reference to the role of personal interviews of donors, in preventing donation from donors who take part in activities considered to be 'high risk' as defined by 'Blood Safety' exclusion criteria.