NCC/New Donor Screening Tests

[Guest guest]

ARTICLE:

" American Red Cross Adopts Nucleic Acid Testing for Detection of

Transfusion-Transmitted Viruses "

Reuters Health Information Services (04/09/99)

The American Red Cross has adopted nucleic acid testing for early

detection of transfusion-transmitted viruses, including HIV and hepatitis C

virus. In an effort to get the expected benefits to the public as fast as

possible, the FDA approved the use of the nucleic acid test by the Red Cross

despite the fact the test has yet to receive FDA marketing approval. The Red

Cross reports it has already detected a unit of donor blood that was infected

with hepatitis C virus and had tested negative using standard screening tests.

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Remember, when having family or friends direct donate blood, the safety of

the blood can be compromised, as these donors may not be as honest about risk

factors as strangers would be. This was kind of an " unwritten " thing

discussed in the blood banking " business, " which I recently got out of. I'm

not saying not to have directed donors, but consider the fact that if people

have any risk factors, they will not want to be found out by their family and

friends. I know most people are honest; I am just making you aware of a rare

potential problem! Plus it is wonderful for family members to replenish what

a loved one has used!

I think autologous donations are great! I don't see how a doc could deny it,

unless meds. could cause a problem with the anticoagulants and preservation

additives in the blood storage bags. I will be donating for my surgery, as

the cryoprecipitate (one of the components) will be used for " fibrin glue " on

the dural patch. The red cells will be shipped " just in case. " I believe

the American Red Cross will draw and ship the blood for you!

One last thing...just because you have the same ABO blood group as a

relative, it still doesn't necessarily mean that you are compatible with one

another's blood.

KC

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/13/99 10:15:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

Knommoc38@... writes:

<< .just because you have the same ABO blood group as a

relative, it still doesn't necessarily mean that you are compatible with one

another's blood. >>

This is true. Whenever we have had direct donors for , they have told

us this also. We have always had the same person donate for - we know

for sure she is compatible. We came across a situation, where someone we knew

was donating for , and actually this was probably a blessing in

disguise for this person. A potential problem came up that he did not know

about so he could not donate. But he was at least then made aware that he had

this problem.

Red Cross will ship blood. We have done this before where they shipped it

from one state to another for a surgery that was having. Just need to

allow enough time so that the blood gets to where it needs to go on time. And

I think you can only do it within so many days prior to a surgery.

Tory ('s mom)

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