Fewer people are eligible to donate blood each year because of new regulatory restrictions.

Every year, it seems, a new regulation is implemented in response to the need to maintain the highest level of blood safety possible. The latest donor “deferral” regulation involves the theoretical risk of transmission of mad-cow disease through the blood supply. While there is no clinical evidence, the FDA has given guidance that anyone who has lived or traveled extensively in Europe should not be allowed to donate blood in the U.S. FDA has requested that by mid-2002, blood collectors restrict these people from donating blood.

It is estimated that 6-8% of blood donors in the U.S. will no longer be eligible to donate as a result of this restriction. This is just one example, but illustrates the impact that on-going and extensive review of donor eligibility criteria has on the blood supply.

Haemonetics' Response: Automation

Automated collections allow blood centers to increase the yield of a blood component collected from one donor. This can alleviate blood supply shortages.