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Advances in donor screening and blood testing have dramatically improved blood safety. All blood donated at American Red Cross blood centers nationwide -- approximately 45 percent of the nation's blood supply -- is tested in one of our National Testing Laboratories (NTL's), laboratories designed to adapt rapidly to changing technology and new scientific and medical advancements. Red Cross NTL's are located in or near Charlotte, NC; Detroit, MI; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; and St. Louis, MO. Should a natural disaster or other event temporarily close one NTL, testing can be transferred to another site so that the blood supply will not be disrupted.
The Process
At the time of donation, sample tubes of blood are also taken. If you are a donor, you have probably noticed the bar code on the tubes, the blood bags and your donor record. This is how we track your donation. The red cell portion is used to determine your blood type and the serum is tested for viral diseases. Test results are transferred electronically to the sending blood center via computer within 18 hours. Blood given for the community blood supply that does not pass the laboratory testing is destroyed. If the donor's health is in question, he or she is notified.
Type-Testing
We test donated blood to determine the ABO and Rh type. After you make your first donation, you will receive a Red Cross donor card that tells you your blood type. We also screen blood for red cell antibodies.
Disease Testing
Every blood donation is screened using these tests to reduce the risk of disease transmission:
| Disease |
Test |
Implemented |
Discontinued |
| HIV/AIDS |
HIV-I Antibody test
HIV-1/2 Antibody test
HIV-I p24 Antigen test |
1985
1992
1996 |
2003 |
| Hepatitis B |
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
Hepatitis B Core Antibody |
1971
1987 |
|
| Hepatitis C |
Anti-HCV |
1990 |
|
| Hepatitis |
ALT |
1986 |
2003 |
| Syphilis |
Serologic test for syphilis |
1948 |
|
| Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) |
HTLV-I Antibody test
HTLV-I/II Antibody test |
1989
1998 |
1997 |
| Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS |
Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) |
1999 |
|
| West Nile Virus |
Nucleic Acid Testing (WNV-NAT) |
2003 |
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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that is dangerous for some immunocompromised individuals, such as bone marrow transplant patients or premature babies, to receive. CMV can be transmitted through blood products if the blood donor has been exposed to CMV in the past. Thus, CMV testing is performed on some units of blood for those patients who need it. |
