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Donor screening at international blood collection agencies
Canadian Blood Services' plan to replace nurses with multi-skilled workers in initial blood donor screening is not in keeping with majority standards
of practice internationally. Because of Canada's history with tainted blood we must maintain the highest standards of blood screening in the world.
The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) undertook research into donor screening practices in 16 developed countries. The research found:
- 11 countries used only licensed/regulated health professionals like doctors or nurses to screen donors for eligibility
- New Zealand tried to use student nurses (enrolled nurses) in donor screening. They returned to graduated nurses because student nurses "often had to make
complex nursing decisions, which sits outside the scope [of their training]."
- Five countries use multi-skilled worker-like positions (non-professionals) in some
aspects of donor screening
- Only the United States and England use multi-skilled worker-like positions in almost all
aspects of donor screening.
Canadian Blood Services must take every precaution to continuously enhance
the safety of Canada's blood supply. Replacing nurses with non-professional
employees is not a step in that direction, nor is it in tandem with practices
at most international blood services in the developed world.
Professions used in blood donor screening internationally
| Country |
Utilize non-professionals
in donor screening |
New donor |
Lapsed donor |
Returning donors |
| Canada |
No |
Registered Nurse |
Registered Nurse |
Registered Nurse |
| Hema-Quebec † |
No |
Registered Nurse |
Registered Nurse |
Registered Nurse |
| United States |
Yes |
Non Professional |
Non Professional |
Non Professional |
| England |
Yes |
Non Professional |
Non Professional |
Non Professional |
| Australia* |
No |
Registered Nurse |
Registered Nurse |
Registered Nurse |
| Austria |
No |
Physician or Nurse |
Physician or Nurse |
Physician or Nurse |
| Ireland |
Yes |
Nurse or Physician |
Nurse or Physician |
Nurse or Physician |
| France |
No |
Physician |
Physician |
Physician |
| Italy |
No |
Physician |
Physician |
Physician |
| Finland |
No |
Nurse |
Nurse |
Nurse |
| Germany |
No |
Physician |
Physician |
Physician |
| Japan |
No |
Physician |
Physician |
Physician |
| Latvia |
No |
Physician or other health professional |
Physician or other health professional |
Physician or other health professional |
| Malta |
No |
Physician and Nurse |
Physician and Nurse |
Physician and Nurse |
| Netherlands |
Yes |
Physician |
Non Professional, Physician if required |
Non Professional, Physician if required |
| New Zealand |
No |
Registered Nurse |
Registered Nurse |
Registered Nurse |
| Scotland |
Yes |
Nurse or Physician |
Nurse or Physician |
Non Professional, Physician if required |
†Hema-Quebec is the autonomous blood collection agency in Quebec.
*Currently conducting a pilot project
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