NOTES

The RN must ensure that the donor understands and consents to the donation process and to the testing of blood for transmissible disease. Third parties giving evidence are not acceptable i.e. third parties must not answer questions for the donor. However, sign language interpreters who are not personally known to the donor, are qualified to interpret medical terms, understand the donation process and the criticality of the questions on the HLQ, may be used if necessary to interpret the exchange of information between the donor and the IBTS staff member, so that each fully understands the other and the donor’s answers to the questionnaire are clearly communicated to the staff member. This will have to be pre-arranged with the Donor Consultant / Consultant Haematologist / Specialist Medical Staff who will meet the interpreter prior to the donation to inform them of the process and ‘sign them off’ as meeting the IBTS’ criteria for third party sign language interpreters

ACTION:

• Ensure that the sign language interpreter meets the criteria as specified by the IBTS. Ensure that the donor fully understands and consents to the donation process and to the testing of blood for transmissible diseases. If a sign language interpreter (who is acceptable to the IBTS) has been present during the donor interview / donor assessment record this on the HLQ in the Comments section and record the name and contact details of the interpreter