Testing
Our laboratories perform a range of tests on all donations for many different reasons:
- To allow for the appropriate selection of blood for transfusion to Irish patients. This would include ABO compatibility between the donor and recipient.
- To identify donors whose donations are not suitable for transfusion. This would include donors who carry transfusion-transmissible infections.
- To minimise or prevent adverse consequences of transfusion. This would include preventing the transmission of infections to our transfusion recipients.
In addition, all platelet donations are also screened for bacterial contamination post collection. When required, additional donor testing is performed, including confirmatory testing and CMV screening. The IBTS has strict guidelines, policies and procedures for all laboratory tests which are performed in facilities accredited for good laboratory and manufacturing practices. Once donor selection criteria have been met, mandatory viral screening is negative, and blood grouping and screening results have been confirmed, and product quality is acceptable (according to clearly defined component specifications), components are labelled for release and made available in stock inventory. If a screening test for infectious disease is confirmed reactive, then the donation is destroyed. We notify and counsel the donor as part of IBTS donor management procedures.
To learn more about viral screening of blood donations click here
