Blood Bank Guy Essentials Podcast 080CE: Is This Donor "Safe?" with Mindy Goldman
Feb 27, 2020
Dr. Mindy Goldman, the Medical Director of Donor and Clinical Services at Canadian Blood Services, shares her insights on blood donor safety and eligibility policies. She discusses the reconsideration of upper age limits for donors, backed by compelling research. Goldman also delves into the evolution of MSM deferral policies, explaining Canada’s shift from a lifetime ban to a three-month deferral. Listeners will find her take on activity-based screening and real-world experiences from countries like Italy and Spain fascinating as she navigates the delicate balance of safety and inclusivity in blood donation.
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Why Canada's Blood System Is Structured This Way
- Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec were created after the Krever inquiry into past contamination tragedies.
- Both are independent but regulated by Health Canada, which must pre-approve recipient-impacting changes.
Use Data And Stakeholders Before Changing Rules
- Use a structured, multi-stakeholder process for proposed donor-criteria changes.
- Gather internal data, epidemiology, international experience, and stakeholder input before submitting to the regulator.
Older Donors Were Being Booted
- Canada historically used complex upper-age limits that booted many older repeat donors out of the system.
- Mindy described complaints from healthy older donors who successfully donated in the U.S. but were deferred in Canada.
