Selection Criteria
Age
Persons of 16 to 65 years of age may become blood donors. A donor who has been donating as a regular blood donor at the age limit may indicate a willingness to continue donating blood beyond 65 years, with written confirmation of their suitability provided by a registered Medical Practitioner, which clearly indicates that there is no evidence that blood donation does not present a risk to the donor. The NBSZ Medical Director with written confirmation of their suitability, provided by a registered Medical Practitioner, may extend the age of donation on a case-by-case basis to 75 years.
Weight
Minimum – of 50kgs (110lbs). The volume of blood to donated does not exceed 13% of the circulating blood volume. Donors who weigh more than 50kgs and comply with the weight/height requirements may safely donate 450mls of blood. Unexplained and unintentional loss of weight of 4.5kgs or more, within previous 4 months excluded from donation. Obesity with signs of cardiac insufficiency may result in the person being deferred or excluded.
Height
At least 150 cm (5feet) with normal flat shoes or low heels.
• Obesity or other causes, which make a successful venesection difficult, or impossible, may lead to donor deferral or exclusion.
• Evidence of tattooing and skin piercing, within 6 months, will result in deferral and/or exclusion
Frequency of Donation
Females premenopausal every 4 months
Females post menopausal every 3 months
Males every 3 months.
Note: In certain conditions and circumstances, these intervals may be reduced under the direction and discretion of the Medical Director of the Service, for safety, medical or other appropriate reasons.
Haemoglobin Females >12.5 g/dl
(Copper Sulphate) Males >13.5 g/dl
Haemoglobin Females > 12.5 g/dl
(HaemoCue®) Males > 13.5 g/dl
Blood Pressure
Diastolic minimum – 60 mmHg
Systolic minimum –100 mmHg (90mmHg in fit person). Blood Pressure measurements may be reassessed based on the Clinical Assessment of the registered nurse or by approval of the Medical Director of the NBSZ.
Those attending Therapeutic Bleeding, may be specifically determined as acceptable as a normal blood donor by the Medical Director may have blood pressures higher than that of the normal population and benefit from donating blood.
Food
First time donors should have had some nourishment within the previous four hours before donating blood.
Donors who are fasting on religious grounds should be encouraged to donate in the morning to ensure that they have had a meal before the daily fasting period.
All donors should be provided with light refreshments of their choice, such as tea, coffee, orange juice, other cordials, and at least biscuits, after donating, even pre-donation, if required.
Hazardous
People in hazardous occupations should donate when off duty or when they are off duty for at least 24 hours post donation; e.g. pilots, workers on scaffolding, firemen, train drivers; or occupations, which may involve a hazard to other persons or themselves.
Community
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