01 Jan 2021

World Health Organisation (WHO) blood donation testing and processing

Multiple barriers to the safety and availability of blood components for transfusion were identified in the 2015 Global Database on Blood Safety, many of which derive from weak regulatory oversight, insufficient financing, and fragmentation of the national blood system. Centralization of key functions of the blood service within a limited number of blood establishments, particularly testing and processing of blood donations, can overcome several shortcomings that often exist in decentralized blood systems that are highly fragmented.

  • Topic: Donation testing, donation processing
  • Description: Guidance on centralization of blood donation testing and processing
    This guidance provides decision-makers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, a roadmap for consideration of whether to centralize blood donation testing and processing and the steps needed to implement these functions in selected blood establishments.  Centralization of blood donation testing and processing in designated blood establishments (BEs) is one strategy to improve the overall function and efficiency of the national blood system. Practical advice on the creation of such BEs is provided.

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