My wife donated to the Blood Bank of Hawaii for years. In November, she got a call at work saying she couldn't donate anymore, but didn't get a reason. Blood Bank apologizes
for delayed explanationThe blood bank said they had sent her a letter, which she did not receive. I called, but they wouldn't tell me, which I understand, since I'm not the donor. Finally, my wife received a copy of the letter saying something was wrong, but it was unspecific. Naturally, we called our doctor, who asked them to send him the results.
It took three weeks before he received a response. He told my wife to come in right away for blood testing for HIV. We waited two traumatic days. Thank God, the test came out negative. Shouldn't the blood bank inform someone right away if they suspect something serious? Why did we have to wait one month to find out my wife might have had HIV?
Judy Young, chief operating officer for the Blood Bank of Hawaii, apologized for the three-week delay in sending the screening results, which showed a "false positive" antibody test, to your doctor. She said she would make sure such a delay would not happen again.
However, after reviewing your wife's files and talking with staff, she said it appears that "that was the only place where the blood bank really did not do a good job and I feel terrible about it."
The associate medical director explained the false positive test to your wife when she called on Nov. 7, Young said. At that time, it was "felt the donor understood it was HIV (being discussed) and that it was a false positive test. (She) offered to send the test results to (your wife's) physician."
In general, any donor in your wife's situation would be told test results if they ask to speak to either of the two physicians on staff: the medical director or associate medical director, Young said. Their names and numbers are in the letters containing test results.
Other staff are not allowed to give out any medical information.
All donors are given screening tests. If a test is positive, it is repeated twice more, Young said. Depending on the tests, some are confirmatory and sent to the mainland. That process may take up to three weeks for results to get back. During that period, a person is not allowed to donate blood.
Then a letter is sent, explaining the test results or asking the person to call for information, Young said. Also, if a person is found to be "truly HIV positive," that information would not be given via letter, but through one of the physicians. Counseling also would be provided, Young said.
"Screening tests are oversensitive and I think we all want them designed that way," Young explained. "They do pick up what we call some biological false positives. What you're screening for in HIV tests and in some other tests is a protein, an antibody to the virus. We all have antibodies and proteins. The test is oversensitive, so sometimes it picks up proteins that have nothing to do with the (HIV) virus."
Further testing may be negative, but the federal Food and Drug Administration - which licenses and inspects blood banks - prohibits them from accepting anyone who screens positive as a donor, "regardless of whether or not they actually have any clinical disease or have ever been exposed to the disease," Young said.
I have two new aluminum Mirro whistling kettles, which I use to boil water. I've used vinegar, baking soda, lemon, etc., but can't get rid of the funny smell. Does anyone have a suggestion? (Call Kokua Line at 525-8636.) Not whistling Dixie
To good Samaritans Donnie Smith and her son, who helped push my car to the side when I got stuck near Windward Shopping Center. They did not leave until I got my car started. I wish them joy and prosperity in the new year. -- Ponce Miyamoto Mahalo
