Endoscopy

Must not donate if:
Less than four months from an examination with a flexible endoscope.

If the examination has been carried out with a rigid endoscope (e.g. colposcopies and most arthroscopies and proctoscopies), the donor is well and not waiting for further tests or results, accept.

Malignancy
Surgery

Flexible endoscopes can be difficult to disinfect. There have been cases where infection has been passed from person to person by examination and biopsy using this type of instrument.

This guidance presumes that a validated NAT test for hepatitis C is negative. If this test is stopped, the guidance will change.

A colposcope is an instrument used to view more easily the neck of the womb (cervix). It is not a flexible endoscope so in itself is not a reason for deferral. Care should be taken to ensure that donor is well and not waiting for further tests or results.

The procedure of ‘Virtual endoscopy’ is a radiographic technique that does not involve the use of an endoscope just a disposable tube it is not in itself a reason for deferral.

This is a requirement of the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005.

This entry was updated in line with the recommendations of the SaBTO Donor Selection Criteria Review Report published on 23rd July 2017,   

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