Hoxworth rolls out new Individual Donor Assessment screening questionnaire

Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati, is excited to announce the implementation of the new donor health questionnaire (DHQ v4.0) on December 4, 2023. This will allow Hoxworth to welcome new donors into the lifesaving mission, expand donor eligibility, and eliminate donation restrictions based on sexual orientation while continuing to prioritize the safety of the blood supply.

In May 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized its guidance that changes the blood donation screening process to be more equitable by using gender-inclusive, individual risk-based questions rather than questions based on gender and sexual orientation. 

Beginning December 4, 2023, all Hoxworth Blood Center donors will answer the same eligibility questions per FDA guidance to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted HIV. Donors will be assessed for blood donation based only on individual risk factors.

“Hoxworth Blood Center is excited to implement the updated FDA guidance that will allow more individuals in our community to give back and help others, while ensuring optimal safety of the local blood supply” says David Oh, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Hoxworth Blood Center. “When you come and donate, you are actually strengthening the community, and we are proud to allow this opportunity to people who may not have been eligible to donate before due to their sexual orientation." 

The new approach to donor screening will continue to defer those with a higher chance of acquiring a new HIV infection. Other criteria already in place to identify additional risk factors for acquiring HIV will continue to be applied. By asking all potential donors the same questions about their sexual behavior, this change reflects the fact that diseases caused by infectious agents such as HIV could be contracted by anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation.

Individuals who have questions about their eligibility should call Hoxworth at 513-558-1304 prior to scheduling a blood donation appointment.