Updated FDA Guidelines
In May 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration finalized its guidance that changes the blood donation screening process to be more equitable by using gender-inclusive, individual risk-based questions rather than questions based on gender and sexual orientation to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted infection.
Hoxworth Blood Center has already began work across the blood community to welcome newly eligible donors, a process that will take time and is expected to be implemented at Hoxworth Blood Center by the end of 2023. While the FDA accepted updates to the donor history questionnaire in line with this final guidance, Hoxworth will need to update procedure, train staff, and validate computer systems regulated by the FDA.