From early September 2010, all red cells and platelets supplied by the Australian Red Cross Blood Service will have been tested for HBV DNA using the NAT triplex assay.
This change is consistent with international best practice for NAT screening of blood donations, will significantly improve laboratory process control and will provide the opportunity to further improve the quality and safety of the Australian blood supply, benefiting both blood product recipients and blood donors.... Read more
Intravascular haemolysis (IVH) leading to death has been reported in patients treated for immune thrombocytic purpura (ITP) with WinRho SDF.
IVH can lead to clinically compromising anaemia and multi-system organ failure including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
... Read more
Donors with flu-like symptoms are always deferred. It is important that donors do not donate blood should they develop fever of 38 degrees Celcius or higher and one or more of the following symptoms.
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Cough
Update: Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) activities relating to support for patients injured in the Victorian bushfires.
We sincerely thank everyone who has contacted us wanting to donate blood.
Currently we have sufficient inventory of all components and fractionated plasma products, and are not actively calling for further immediate donations. However, we anticipate an ongoing need for transfusion support over the next weeks to months as the injured require ongoing support, and in particular, surgery and other care for burns injuries. We appreciate your support in encouraging staff and the public to contact 13 14 95 or to register online, at donateblood.com.au to make appointments to donate over the coming days and weeks.
In Victoria, ARCBS experienced disruptions yesterday to the telecommunication system as a result of overwhelming public generosity and desire to donate. ARCBS communicated with hospitals and laboratories in Victoria to advise them of fluctuating impact on inbound and outbound calls, with a reminder of the established ARCBS emergency contact numbers. Additional call centre support has been provided from other states to handle donor enquiries.
We understand that many hospitals and laboratories around the country are also being contacted by staff and the general public wishing to donate blood.
In order to keep the ARCBS inventory and distribution telephone numbers free for urgent supply calls, we thank you for directing these blood donor enquiries to 13 14 95 or donateblood.com.au.
We are pleased to advise that 100% of red cells supplied by ARCBS nationally are now pre-storage leucodepleted.
Bedside leucodepletion filters will no longer be required. However, all blood components will still require administration via a standard blood giving set containing a 170-200µm aggregate filter. Further information regarding this initiative and how it affects bedside practice is explained in Leucodepletion FAQs listed under red cells on our Transfusion Medicine Manual site.
On 8 December 2008, ARCBS will commence national testing of selected Group O apheresis platelets for high titre anti-A and anti-B.
Components which are found to have low titres of anti-A and anti-B will have the words “Low Anti-A/B” printed on the component label below the component name and barcode. These components can preferentially be considered for use in circumstances where ABO identical components are unavailable.
CSL Bioplasma has advised that Biostate® has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use in the treatment of bleeding episodes in patients with von Willebrand disease, effective as of 27 August 2008.
Following the April meeting of the Australian Health Ministers’ Conference (AHMC), Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) is pleased to announce the timetable for implementation of 100% leucodepletion of red cells has been agreed.... Read more
CSL Bioplasma has recently conducted a full packaging review to ensure the carton, label, flip-off cap, and foil crimp of all plasma-derived therapeutics are optimally designed to support correct and simple use.... Read more
ARCBS updates its popular transfusion web site for health professionals.... Read more
From 28 April 2008, all ARCBS platelet components will be screened for bacterial contamination. Worldwide, bacterial contamination of platelets is recognised as the most significant residual infectious risk of transfusion in developed countries. As a cause of death from transfusion, bacterial sepsis is second only to ABO incompatibility. ... Read more
The Criteria for the Clinical Use of Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) in Australia (the Criteria) has been developed to assist clinicians and transfusion medicine professionals to identify the conditions and circumstances for which the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is appropriate and funded under the National Blood Agreement. ... Read more