Transfusion medicine is a multidisciplinary area concerned with the proper use of blood and blood components in the treatment of human diseases. The Department of Transfusion Medicine at this Institute was established in 1989 as a state-of-art facility to provide blood transfusion services. A firm resolves for total dependence on voluntary blood donation and routine preparation of blood components are principal hallmarks of the department. According to the principles of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) strict adherence to quality control at all phases of donor selection, screening and processing of blood and serological procedures for grouping and typing of blood are followed.
Blood Processing Laboratory :
This laboratory accepts requests for blood and blood products for patients from the Institute's hospital as well as those outside . The facility is licensed by the Drugs Controller of India & accreditated by NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers) & CAP ( College of American Pathologists ).
Activities of this laboratory include:
Donor blood processing : Tests for determining the ABO group & Rh type, detecting unexpected antibodies to red cell antigens, confirmation of Rh negative.
Cross matching: Routine tests include ABO grouping, Rh typing, antibody screening and identification. Requests for cross match for transfusion are processed with Microtyping card Gel Sytem. Tests for cold antibodies are done when necessary, viz for patients scheduled for open heart surgery, etc.
Blood Component Laboratory
To exercise maximum economy in the use of Blood, every unit of blood is separated into various components, such as packed red cells, fresh frozen plasma, platelets. The laboratory has state-of-the-art equipment and technology.
Transfusion Transmitted Infection Screening Laboratory
Provision of safe blood is of utmost priority. Every unit of blood & component is screened for HbsAg, anti-HIV 1&2, anti-HCV and VDRL. Malaria Parasites as per guidelines of NABH & Drug Control of India. Over and above, this is the only Blood Bank in Eastern zone and one of the few Blood Banks in the country where Total Core Antibody for Hepatitis B is done to prevent Hepatitis-B infection even when HbsAg is negative. All these parameters are screened by enhanced Chemiluminescence's Method and can be screened even on the day of collection. The laboratory is fully automated and all four infectious markers can be screened on the day of collection.
Quality Control Laboratory
To achieve objectives of supply of quality and safe blood, strict adherence to quality control at all phases of donor selection, screening & processing of blood & serological procedures for grouping and typing of blood are being followed routinely. All reagents, antisera, blood components and equipment are subjected to strict quality checks at periodic intervals according to the standards. We are regularly participating in the EQAS program of College of American Pathologists & Christian Medical College, Vellore .
