How long is the deferment for a donor who has received a blood transfusion?

How long is the deferment for a donor who has received a blood transfusion?

• A. 3 months
• B. 6 months
• C. 12 months
• D. 24 months

Answer: (C)

Deferral after a transfusion is twelve months. This period helps protect recipients by reducing the chance that a donor who may have a transfusion-transmissible infection enters the blood supply, since infections can have window periods during which screening tests may be negative. A one-year deferral balances safety with maintaining an adequate donor pool, whereas shorter intervals wouldn’t cover the typical window periods and longer intervals aren’t usually necessary.

Deferral after a transfusion is twelve months. This period helps protect recipients by reducing the chance that a donor who may have a transfusion-transmissible infection enters the blood supply, since infections can have window periods during which screening tests may be negative. A one-year deferral balances safety with maintaining an adequate donor pool, whereas shorter intervals wouldn’t cover the typical window periods and longer intervals aren’t usually necessary.