What does red cross do to avoid infected blood donation?

Answer 1

All blood collection facilities are required to perform a mini-physical examination and medical history review prior to any blood collection. Additionally, all donated units are screened for transfusion-transmitted diseases.

Current FDA and /or AABB guidelines require that every blood donation (allogeneic and autologous) be screened for the following:

ABO, Rh Typing

Unexpected antibody screen (immunohematologic antibodies)

Hepatitis B surface antigen

Hepatitis B core antibodies

Hepatitis C antibodies

Serologic test for Syphilis

HIV-I/II antibodies

Human T-cell lymphotrophic virus (HTLV) antibodies

HIV-I Nucleic Acid Test (PCR)

HCV Nucleic Acid Test (PCR)

West Nile Virus Nucleic Acid Test (PCR)

Hepatitis B Nucleic Acid Testing (PCR)

T. Cruzi antibodies (Chagas' Disease)

Bacterial Screening of Platelet components

Additional tests may be preformed at the discretion of the collection facility, such as Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Antibodies and Sickle Cell screening.

If any test is repeat reactive, it must be further tested using a licensed confirmatory test, if one exists. Any reactive donation is discarded per local and state regulations. FDA guidelines also require that all blood collection facilities notify the donor of any unexpected screening test results within eight weeks of donation. However, most will notify within 4 weeks, usually by USPS 1st Class mail (or certified/restricted delivery if specified).