Immunohematology Laboratory

The Transfusion Services Laboratory (TSL) provides a broad range of blood components and services to support Clinical Center patients. TSL prepares, tests, and issues blood including red blood cells, platelets, granulocytes, fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate. The laboratory modifies these components in several ways to meet the specific needs of Clinical Center patients. Irradiation prevents post transfusion graft versus host disease (GVHD), leukoreduction through filtration removes white blood cells that may elicit antibody formation and washing removes plasma proteins that may cause allergic reactions in some patients.

TSL performs pre-transfusion testing necessary prior to transfusing red blood cells. Tests performed include those for ABO group and Rh type determination, screening for irregular blood group antibodies and ensuring the compatibility of donor and patient bloods. TSL's accredited Immunohematology Laboratory (AABB) provides serological testing to resolve complex antibody casework and to help establish or confirm diagnoses such as autoimmune or drug induced hemolytic anemia.

The facility is licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). The accredited Department of Transfusion Medicine's Fellowship in Transfusion Medicine (ACGME) and Specialist in Blood Bank Technology Programs (ASCP) are coordinated by this laboratory.