The blood supply in the United States is much safer today than ever before. The risk of disease transmission has been greatly reduced thanks to multiple levels of safeguards, including:

• Comprehensive evaluation of donors' medical and social history
• Physical examination of the donor
• Strict donation procedures using sterile supplies
• Laboratory testing

These procedures are followed by all blood centers nationwide and by all blood centers nationwide and are monitored under the regulatory guidance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Only volunteers are permitted to donate blood, and there are no incentives to give. Studies prove that community volunteers are the safest source of blood for transfusion.

Every donor completes a health history questionnaire and a screening interview. Strict confidentiality, as well as the absence of incentives or pressure to donate, encourage honest answers and the deferral of any potential donor with possible health risks.

Every time someone donates blood, his or her blood goes through extensive testing to make sure that it is safe for transfusion. Any unit of blood that shows evidence of carrying a disease is discarded.
The following are some of the test performed by the Siouxland Community Blood Bank on all donated blood.

• Blood Type and RH Factor: Are determined
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigen: Detects the presence of the Hepatitis B virus capsul
• Hepatitis C Antibody: Detects the presence of antibodies against the Hepatitis C virus
• Syphilis Test: Detects the presence of antibodies against syphilis
• Anti HTLV I and II Test: Detects past exposure to a virus that can result in a rare form of leukemia and neurological disorders
• Anti HIV I and II Test plus O: Detects the presence of antibodies against HIV (the agent that causes AIDS)
• Hepatitis B Core: Detects any past history of Hepatitis B
• NAT HCV: Detects Hepatitis C virus RNA
• NAT HIV: Detects HIV RNA
• NAT WNV: Detects West Nile Virus RNA
• T.Cruzi (Chagas): Detects the presence of antibody to T. Cruzi
• Antibody Screen: Detects the presence of unexpected antibodies not related to viruses

The American Association fo Blood Banks (AABB) and its members, including the Siouxland Community Blood Bank, are committed to ensuring a safe and adequate blood supply for transfusion recipients.