Plasma donation provides raw material for therapies treating immune deficiencies, bleeding disorders, and other rare conditions. Before donating, individuals undergo screening to ensure the safety of the donor and the quality of the plasma supply. This screening includes a health history questionnaire, a physical assessment, and blood testing. If a person fails to meet the criteria, they receive a deferral, which pauses their donation eligibility and prioritizes their well-being.
Defining Temporary and Permanent Deferrals
When a prospective donor is deferred, they are currently ineligible to donate plasma. This status is either temporary or permanent. A temporary deferral requires a specific waiting period before the person can return to be re-screened. The length of this period depends on the reason for the deferral.
A permanent deferral means the donor is indefinitely disqualified from donating plasma at any facility. This status is reserved for reasons considered non-resolvable or those posing an unacceptable risk to the plasma supply. Once permanently deferred, they cannot return to donate, regardless of the time elapsed.
The Most Common Reasons for Deferral
A common reason for temporary deferral is low hematocrit or iron levels. Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. Regulatory guidelines require female donors to have a minimum hemoglobin level of 12.5 g/dL and male donors to have 13.0 g/dL. Falling below these levels results in a deferral, protecting the donor from complications like anemia.
Recent tattoos or body piercings also cause a pause in eligibility. This is due to the risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission if the procedure was not performed in a sterile, licensed facility. Illnesses like a common cold, the flu, or a sore throat will also result in a deferral. This ensures the donor is healthy and prevents the transfer of infectious agents.
Certain medications can lead to temporary ineligibility, often due to the underlying condition they treat. Recent travel to regions where infectious diseases, such as malaria, are common may also cause a temporary deferral. This measure is necessary because some diseases can be carried in the blood for months or years without the donor showing symptoms.
Navigating Temporary Deferrals: Steps to Re-Eligibility
Low Iron and Hematocrit
For donors deferred due to low iron, re-eligibility involves dietary changes. Consuming iron-rich foods and hydrating properly before donation can often correct a low hematocrit level. Donors may also be advised to take iron supplements, allowing time to rebuild iron stores before the next screening attempt.
Tattoos, Piercings, and Illness
The resolution for recent tattoos or piercings involves a waiting period, typically three to twelve months, depending on local regulations. For donors who were ill, the deferral is usually 24 hours after all symptoms have completely resolved. This ensures the body has fully recovered from the infection.
Travel and Transfusions
Deferrals related to travel to a malaria-risk area often require a waiting period of three months or longer after leaving the region. If a temporary deferral is due to receiving a blood transfusion, a waiting period of three months is required before a person can be screened again.
When Deferral is Permanent
A permanent deferral status is applied when a person has a history of infectious diseases that pose a risk to the plasma supply. This includes a confirmed positive test for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Hepatitis B or C. These individuals are registered in the National Donor Deferral Registry to prevent them from donating at any center. Certain chronic health conditions, especially those affecting major organs or requiring complex treatments, can also result in permanent ineligibility.