Blood Safety and Testing
ABC Members Collect and Test 7.5 Million Blood Units in 2003
The blood supply is the safest it's ever been. Thirteen tests – 11 for infectious diseases – are performed on each unit of donated blood. A strict screening process also helps ensure the safety of blood. Donating blood is 100 percent safe.
Safety Procedures Protect Donors and Recipients
All blood centers follow these general safety procedures:
- Blood donor eligibility standards
- Donor record checks
- Laboratory testing
Lab Testing Ensures Blood Safety
Tests are done on each unit of blood:
- ABO blood grouping
- Rh type
- Red cell antibody screen
- Antibodies to hepatitis B Core
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
- Antibodies to hepatitis C
- Antibodies to HIV-1
- Antibodies to HIV-2
- Antibodies to HTLV I/II - (human T-Lymphotrophic Virus Types I and II )
- Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) for hepatitis C
- Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) for HIV
- Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) for West Nile virus
- Syphilis
What if I test positive?
Donors may be temporarily or indefinitely deferred from donating blood, depending on the type of positive test result. In a few cases, the donor does not need to be deferred.
The blood donation is almost always discarded. The donor is notified of any abnormal test results, or may be notified that their blood center wishes to consult personally with him/her. At that time, the blood center is able to help the donor understand the test result and subsequent deferral.
