Changes in the Blood Donor Health Questionnaire: Same Questions for Everyone Regardless of Gender
Starting November 24th, the health questionnaire for blood donors will be updated. The question about gender will be removed from the beginning of the questionnaire. From now on, the same questions will be asked of all blood donors in the health questionnaire and during the nurse’s interview. This change improves both patient and donor safety.
For example, the changes mean that men will also be asked about pregnancy. Similar standardized questionnaires are already used in hospitals, for instance in connection with X-ray examinations.
The procedures are being updated to reflect today’s society. Among donors, there are increasing numbers of people who have undergone gender reassignment or do not identify within the binary gender system. A person who was born female but is legally male may still menstruate and become pregnant.
Under the old procedure, no question about pregnancy was asked of a legal male—even if pregnancy was biologically possible. During pregnancy, blood group antibodies can form, which may be transferred to the patient through blood. If previous pregnancy is not considered, antibody screening may be omitted. The risk is rare but can compromise patient safety. Detection of antibodies usually results in a permanent restriction on blood donation.
Gender Affects Haemoglobin Limits and Donation Intervals
The legal gender of a blood donor is relevant, among other things, for determining minimum donation intervals and haemoglobin thresholds. We will continue to use the gender indicated by the personal identity code as the donor’s gender. Where necessary, we will take gender diversity into account individually if the legal gender does not adequately reflect the donor’s situation. For example, hormone treatments and menstruation can affect eligibility for donation.
Changes to the Question on Iron Deficiency
The health questionnaire will also include other changes. From now on, all donors—regardless of gender—will be asked about conditions that increase the risk of iron deficiency, such as coeliac disease and heavy menstruation. If the donor has a factor that increases the risk of iron deficiency, we recommend donating blood no more than once a year.
Blood Service is exploring the possibility of developing the health questionnaire in the future to make it more individualized, with consideration for both patient and donor safety. We welcome feedback on the changes to help further improve the questionnaire.
