SCBB is a proud member of America's Blood Centers SCBB is a proud member of American Association of Blood Banks SCBB is a proud member of the Blood Centers of America Inc.

History of the Siouxland Community Blood Bank

1967: The Siouxland Community Blood Bank was incorporated in the State of Iowa as a charibable, not for profit organization through the cooperation of the Woodbury Medical Society and four Sioux City hospitals; St. Vincent and St. Joseph (now Mercy Medical Center) and the Lutheran and Methodist Hospitals (now St. Lukes Regional Medical Center) to fulfill the blood needs of the hospitals in the tri-state area. SCBB moves into its first location, 1502 Pierce Street.

1970: Blood banks move toward an all-volunteer blood donor system.

1972: Aphersis is used to extract one cellular component, returning the rest of the blood to the donor.

1973: FDA establishes license for SCBB blood products.

1974: Siouxland Community Blood Bank begins to process whole blood and separate it into blood products for transfusion to patients, rather than transfusing whole blood.

1984: Siouxland Community Blood Bank moves to its present location at 1019 Jones Street.

1985: The first blood screening test to detect HIV is licensed and quickly implemented by blood banks to protect the blood supply. The development and implementation of five more tests for other infectious diseases such as test for Hepatitis B and Syphilis were already in place. Donor questioning and deferral procedures also add additional layers of safety to the American blood supply.

1990: The first blood is screened for Hepatitis C (HCV).

1996: Siouxland Community Blood Bank purchases its first self-contained mobile bus to help meet the mobile needs of SCBB.

1999: The blood community, including the Siouxland Community Blood Bank, begins implementation of Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) under the FDA's IND application process. NAT employs a testing technology that detects the genetic materials of viruses like HCV and HIV.

2000: Siouxland Community Blood Bank's current CEO, Janette Twait, is appointed.
At the request of hospitals, SCBB provides leukoreduced blood products.

2001: SCBB's service region grows from 16 to 25 area hospitals.

2002: Double Red Cell Technology begins with FDA licensure to ship across state lines.
SCBB grows to service 27 area hospitals.

2003: SCBB grows to service 28 area hospitals.

2004: SCBB grows to service 33 area hospitals.

2005: SCBB grows to service 35 area hospitals. SCBB laboratory begins performing NAT testing on-site. Previously, daily shipments of test samples had been sent overnight to a reference laboratory.

2005: Fixed collection site opens in Mitchell, SD

2006: Donor testing began for Huron Regional Medical Center and Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center. Became a backup NAT lab for Lincoln, Nebraska. Recieved approval to use translators to collect blood. Began Hemoglobin S testing patients with Sickle Cell Anemia. Began producing Acrodose pooled platelets. Implemented e donor for recruiting department.

2007: HIV testing improved to include HIV subtype O. Chagas testing implemented. Implemented 5D donor management system. Started planning of ISBT-128 national labeling system. 40th year of saving lives.

2007: Two mini-buses are added to the fleet of vehicles that collect blood donations throughout the territories.

2008: Abbott Prism is purchased, validated and implemented in the Laboratory for HTLV I/II testing. Training, implementation and application for licensure for Cryoprecipitate pools occur. Immucor Galileo is used for more efficient blood typing, antibody screens and syphilis testing. New security system is put in place for lab and lower level of main building to comply with federal regulatory requirements. Two new cars are purchased to replace older cars and allow safer travel for employees who spend much time on the road. A new van and trailer are brought in to replace the oldest setup. Siouxland Community Blood Bank accepts invitation to join Blood Centers of America.