Heartland Blood Centers meet FDA deadline; begin testing blood donations on time. | Courtesy of Shutterstock
+ Regulatory
Ruth de Jauregui | Nov 29, 2016

Heartland's donated blood now tested for Zika virus

Heartland Blood Centers recently announced the implementation of Zika testing on all donated blood.

The blood center supplies blood to more than 70 Chicago-area hospitals.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required most U.S. blood centers to begin testing for the Zika virus by Nov. 18. The Heartland Blood Centers were ready to begin testing on time, due to the efforts of the blood center and its affiliates.

"In just 12 short weeks, teams of associates across the Versiti affiliates provided incredible support and extra effort to enable the donor testing lab in Indianapolis to implement Zika testing," Heartland Blood Centers Medical Director Dr. Julie Cruz said. "This newly required test impacted many departments in addition to the testing lab staff. We were able to purchase and validate equipment, train staff and develop the processes and procedures necessary to begin testing the blood supply for Zika virus. This remarkable feat was achieved by the collaboration of highly skilled, professional associates to achieve controlled change under an aggressive timeline. Every affiliate had a hand in helping us meet the mandate and this situation is an example of the power of affiliation. We truly are better together."

The testing allows donors who have visited Zika risk areas to donate blood without a risk to recipients of transfusions, which reduces the number of deferred donors.

If the test shows the Zika virus in the donor's blood, the blood center will inform the donor. Results of the tests are confidential; only the donor will be notified. The donor should discuss the test and results with a health care provider.

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