LifeStream Eliminates Tattoo Deferral for Potential Blood Donors

LifeStream blood bank is altering its policy that currently defers potential blood donors with a tattoo for one year from the date of the most recent inking. The new policy took effect Monday, Aug. 31. “Since the 2012 implementation of the “Safe Body Art Act” in California, body art establishments are required to register with local enforcement agencies and meet strict criteria, including the use of sterile needles and non-reused ink,” said Joe Chaffin, M.D., vice president, chief medical officer for LifeStream. “This has made the process safe in the eyes of most California blood banks. We are delighted to be able to accept donations from blood donors who have had body art applied in California registered facilities. This will increase our pool of eligible donors, and most importantly, allow our donors freedom to express themselves through body art without losing their eligibility for blood donation.” For a potential donor to be eligible to give blood, tattoo(s) created in the previous 12 months must have been done at a professional licensed facility within the state of California. The procedure must be performed with sterile instruments and unused ink (packages that should have been opened in front of customers, contents used one time, and the disposed of.) Such establishments also should have posted or produce to customers a valid license to practice issued by the State of California. To give blood, the area(s) most recently tattooed must be fully healed from the procedure; the potential donor also must satisfy all other screening and physical requirements set forth by the FDA. Members of the public whose donation status may be affected by the new policy are invited to contact LifeStream at 800-879-4484 and press “1” for more information, or visit any LifeStream location to discuss their individual case with LifeStream staff.