ABSTRACT
Improvements in the safety of the blood supply have been achieved but cost has increased substantially.
Screening
All donors are screened carefully and those considered to be at risk are excluded from donating. In the UK, those who have been transfused blood since 1980 are now excluded from donating. International blood screening varies but it is now common practice to screen for the following:
• ABO and Rhesus (Rh) D blood groups. • Red cell antibodies. • HIV 1 and 2 antibodies and RNA. • Hepatitis B surface antigen. • Hepatitis C antibody and hepatitis C RNA. • CMV. • HTLV I/II antibody (Australia). • Syphilis serology.
