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The US blood supply is safer today than ever before. Donors undergo a health history and are given a mini-physical prior to donating. Advanced testing methods have greatly reduced the risk of transmitting infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires all blood centers to use standard operating procedures, to rigorously monitor compliance with regulations, and to use current testing technology. (See Testing).
- Blood donation is voluntary – donors are not paid to donate blood for use in our community hospitals and clinics.
- Donor information is kept strictly confidential
- Health screening is performed for all donors
- Physical guidelines must be met
- Donors with health risks are deferred
- Donation procedure calls for single-use, sterile supplies
- Any unit of community blood that fails to meet safety standards is properly disposed
- Donors who have positive test results for infectious diseases are notified confidentially and may be deferred from donating again
We give donors detailed information about who can and cannot donate blood. We ask them a series of detailed, personal questions about their medical history, exposure risk to disease, and social history.
The blood center, with the aid of our computer system:
- Tracks each blood donation
- Reviews donor history
- Assures unit testing is complete
- Determines unit suitability
Cascade Regional Blood Services adheres to current Good Manufacturing Practices and stringent Process Controls which help us assure the quality of the blood services we provide.
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