Blood donor screening. Factors influencing decision making.

A questionnaire assessing expert opinion on reducing the risk of transfusion-transmitted disease through selection and testing of blood donors was distributed to transfusion medicine professionals. A second questionnaire assessing the publics' perception of blood transfusion safety was distributed to selected nonexperts. Both groups agreed that recipient safety should be a priority. However, issues such as the impact of testing on the available donor pool, the psychosocial effects of donor deferral, and costs related to each risk-reduction strategy also must be considered. Evaluation of the associated cost as well as the expected benefit will not only assure the safety of blood recipients but also will contribute to controlling the cost of health care.