Blood donor suitability and allogeneic whole blood donation

Blood donor suitability criteria are designed to protect both the blood don or and blood recipient from harm. The risks for allogeneic (community) whol e blood donors who give blood and for blood recipients who receive it are d escribed. Blood donor suitability criteria are based on science, informed m edical opinion, and regulatory rules. The criteria for many common conditio ns are described. Blood donor suitability criteria influence donor demograp hics and lead to specific deferral patterns. Age, gender, and hemoglobin de ferral patterns are described. Finally, the negative effect of short-term t emporary deferrals on future blood donations was reviewed. Copyright (C) 20 01 by W.B. Saunders Company.