Immunohematology
Laboratory
The
Transfusion Services Laboratory (TSL) provides a broad range of
blood components and services to support Clinical Center patients.
TSL prepares, tests, and issues blood including red blood cells,
platelets, granulocytes, fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate.
The laboratory modifies these components in several ways to meet
the specific needs of Clinical Center patients. Irradiation prevents
post transfusion graft versus host disease (GVHD), leukoreduction
through filtration removes white blood cells that may elicit antibody
formation and washing removes plasma proteins that may cause allergic
reactions in some patients.
TSL
performs pre-transfusion testing necessary prior to transfusing
red blood cells. Tests performed include those for ABO group and
Rh type determination, screening for irregular blood group antibodies
and ensuring the compatibility of donor and patient bloods. TSL's
accredited Immunohematology Laboratory (AABB) provides serological
testing to resolve complex antibody casework and to help establish
or confirm diagnoses such as autoimmune or drug induced hemolytic
anemia.
The
facility is licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and
accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) and
the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
(JCAHO). The accredited Department of Transfusion Medicine's Fellowship
in Transfusion Medicine (ACGME) and Specialist in Blood Bank Technology
Programs (ASCP) are coordinated by this laboratory.
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