What steps are taken to make sure that the blood patients receive is safe?
There are many safeguards for our national blood supply in order to ensure safe blood for patients. First, blood is donated by volunteer donors. Before giving blood, donors must answer questions about their health and risk factors for disease and only a person with a clean bill of health can give blood. Blood from each accepted donor goes through extensive testing. In addition to tests for blood type, seven separate screening tests are run for evidence of infection with hepatitis, AIDS, HTLV and syphilis. Finally, a carefully identified blood sample is tested against blood from the patient who will receive it, a process called cross-match.
