Blood donor criteria changing

I don't know how I got on this mailing list, but here's an announcement from the Red Cross...

"System 14" refers to new procedures that the American Red Cross is implementing nationally to improve our blood collections. Some of the changes include:

Tattoos:

Donors who got tattoos in the past 12 months WILL be accepted IF the tattoo was a) applied in a state that regulates the industry (CA does regulate the industry) AND; b) applied at a parlor that follows the state regulations

European travel:

Donors will not be able to give blood if they spent a cumulative time of 3 months or more in the UK between 1980 and 1996. Donors who were members of the US Military or dependents of members of the US Military will not be able to donate if they spent 6 months or more on a military base in certain countries in Europe between 1980 and 1996. Donors will not be able to give blood if they spent a cumulative time of 5 years or more from 1980 to the present in Europe, including time spent

• In the UK between 1980 and 1996
• On a military base, as described above

Medications:

Donors may be able to donate if they were recently prescribed antibiotics for treatment, just completed their last dose, and are free of symptoms. Donors may be able to donate if they are taking certain antibiotics on an on-going basis. There is also a new medication deferral list.

"Direct Oral Questioning":

In the past, donors were provided the questionnaire upon registration and filled it out on their own. Now, a member of our nursing staff will verbally ask donors each question on the questionnaire.

When will this take effect? April 18th, 2005.

Just so you know.