AABB Releases Complimentary IDA Training Module

Today, AABB is pleased to release the first e-learning education module on implementing individual donor assessments (IDA). The module is designed to empower the blood community with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve successful implementation of IDA, while understanding and appreciating the social significance of these changes.

The program, “Individual Donor Assessment Foundational Training” is a 30-minute on-demand education module. AABB is offering this as a complimentary resource to all members of the blood and biotherapies community.

This training video is intended for all donor-facing staff and others working in blood collection facilities who are interested in learning more about IDA and how to create an inclusive environment for all donors. This module includes training on the following topics:

• Navigating donor conversations with the use of sex-positive language and presenting best practices for addressing sensitive and personal topics.
• Recognizing the impact of judgmental and biased language on donors and members of marginalized identity groups.
• Understanding how appropriate sex-positive language and terminology contribute to a respectful, equitable experience for all donors.
• Exploring techniques to handle emotional responses to tough conversations.
• Ensuring all donors and potential donors have a positive experience at the blood collection facility, which will help to ensure donor retention.

The goal of this program – and others coming soon – is to ensure blood collection facility staff advance welcoming and inclusive spaces, answer any questions in a knowledgeable and respectful manner and, ultimately, build longstanding relationships with new, returning and existing donors.

Interested individuals are invited to register now for free access to the new module. (Those who are not an AABB individual member will be prompted to create a non-member account at no charge.) Once registered, an automated email will be sent with instructions to access the program on the AABB Education Platform.

Last week, AABB also released another new resource, “Timeline for Implementation of Individual Donor Assessments: Talking Points and FAQs for Blood Collection Facilities,” which is designed for blood collection facilities to help inform donors and the public about the process of implementing IDA and the new eligibility criteria. This resource includes talking points and FAQs to help blood center staff answer questions, to support accurate proactive communications, and clarify any misunderstandings about the timeline for implementation.

AABB is committed to ensuring the blood community has resources and education to ensure a successful transition to IDA. Additional IDA-related resources are available on AABB’s IDA Resource Library. AABB will be releasing more resources to assist the blood community with the transition to IDA in the coming weeks and months.