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# Faints - Whole blood and components

## Essential information

Definition/s

  Delayed faint: a faint that occurs after the donor has left the donation venue.

Obligatory

  Must not donate if:

  1. History of an unexplained delayed faint.
  2. Two consecutive faints following or during donation.
Discretionary

  A donor with a history of a feeling faint on more than 1 occasion may be accepted following a thorough assessment by a registered healthcare professional.

  If a donor with a history of fainting is accepted, careful observation is required.

## Supporting information

Additional information

  Vasovagal events can range in severity.

  When assessing a donor's eligibility to continue to donate following a previous vasovagal event, the registered healthcare professional should consider:

  - Any contributory factors before and after the donation?
  - Was there prolonged recovery after the previous vasovagal event?
  - Did the donor sustain an injury?
  - Did the donor require treatment from a healthcare professional outside the Blood Service?

  An unexplained delayed faint occurs when there is no obvious reason for the faint, other than the history of donation. Events that might contribute to a delayed faint would be exertion, dehydration, exposure to an unpleasant situation, or standing for prolonged periods.

  A previous history of faints increases the likelihood of a severe adverse reaction to donation.

Reason for change:
  Updated to include guidance on assessing donors who report a previous vasovagal reaction during or after blood donation.
Version details:

  WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 72 (31 July 2024)

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