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2024.02.20
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Nucleic acid test ensures blood transfusion safety
Articles
2024.02.21
Nucleic acid test
Since 2013, our institution has fully implemented the nucleic acid amplification test of blood for blood transfusion, including HIV, Hepatitis C Virus, and Hepatitis B Virus. The direct detection of virus nucleic acid can shorten the testing window and reduce the risk of infection from blood transfusion. Since 2013, there has been no case of HIV, Hepatitis C, and Hepatitis B infection due to blood transfusion. Compared with the previous viral antigenic antibody test, the Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) has screened 12 more cases of HIV positivity, 83 more cases of Hepatitis C virus and 4,246 more cases of Hepatitis B virus. The safety of blood products has been significantly improved.
Promoting methods and innovative actions
Establish a nucleic acid testing plan
Nucleic acid testing for the virus requires a large amount of funds to establish comprehensive testing equipment and testing space.
Comprehensive implementation of nucleic acid testing
Actively engage in the training of medical laboratory technicians, the establishment of nucleic acid testing systems and IT systems, and the integration of existing inspection operations and various determination processes.
Enhance publicity and education
New reagents
New version of the reagent can detect HIV-2; equipment and reagents continually updated.
Create social benefits and influence
1.Reduce the risk of infection from blood transfusion
The new reagents can detect the second type of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-2). The equipment and testing reagents are continuously updated.
2.Save significant social costs
Save huge medical care resources and health insurance expenses, and avoid medical dispute litigation.
3.Award recognition
In 2018, we won the Symbol of National Quality (SNQ) and the Bronze Awards of the National Biomedical Quality Award: a comprehensive and high-efficiency blood donation test to protect the safety of blood transfusions for Taiwanese people.
Safe blood use
Quality assurance - received a number of multiple national quality labels and National Biotechnology Quality Award
Over the past three decades, our constant efforts in strengthening the safety of blood transfusion have gained recognition by winning the Symbol of National Quality (SNQ) for five consecutive years, and one Silver Award and four Bronze Awards from the National Biotechnology and Medicine Care Quality Award.
In recent years, TBSF has introduced many new measures for blood transfusion safety, such as adding nucleic acid amplification testing for viruses, assisting in the establishment of the "Taiwan Transfusion Reaction Monitoring System”, promoting the full use of leukocyte-reduced blood products in hospitals, and providing hospital blood consulting services, creating the world’s most efficient and reasonably priced finished blood products to be introduced worldwide, and are regarded as Asia’s number one. At the same time, the Taiwan Blood Services Foundation promotes blood transfusion safety measures to close the urban-rural gap, achieving 100% blood safety coverage in Taiwan.
The TBSF has repeatedly received the Biotechnology and Medicine Care Quality Award
2017
Silver Award in the "Medical Peripheral Category" of the National Biotechnology and Medicine Care Quality Award
Award-winning Topic
Leader of safe medical blood sources
Comment
Strengthen the safety of blood transfusion, have a comprehensive donation management mechanism, and create blood products with the highest efficacy and most reasonable prices in the world.
2018
Bronze Award in the "Medical Peripheral Category" of the National Biotechnology and Medicine Care Quality Award
Award-winning Topic
Comprehensive and efficient blood donation testing to protect the safety of blood transfusions for Taiwanese people
Comment
There is no disparity between urban and rural areas in terms of blood donation and blood supply safety measures, and blood safety coverage is 100% throughout Taiwan.
2019
Bronze Award in the "Medical Peripheral Category" of the National Biotechnology and Medicine Care Quality Award
Award-winning Topic
Guardian of blood for patients in Southern Taiwan, remote areas and outlying islands - Kaohsiung Blood Donor Center
Comment
The Kaohsiung Blood Center has established a blood supply mutual-aid network throughout southern Taiwan, rural areas, and remote islands. A "Real-time Monitoring and Alert System " was also developed to accurately estimate the blood supply demand to ensure a 100% supply and demand balance, and not waste any bag of precious blood.
2020
Bronze Award in the "Medical Peripheral Category " of the National Biotechnology and Medicine Care Quality Award
Award-winning Topic
The world's first human monoclonal antibody test for the Miltenberger blood group improves blood transfusion safety to a higher level
Comment
Tested the "Mia Antigen of Miltenberger blood group" on blood donors and labeled them on the red blood cell bags to improve the safety of blood transfusion for Taiwanese people.
2021
Bronze Award in the "Medical Peripheral Category " of the National Biotechnology and Medicine Care Quality Award
Award-winning Topic
Mobile and intelligent nationwide single blood management information system - comprehensive control of blood quality
Comment
Through the development and construction of customized systems, the process from blood donation to blood supply is connected, a complete blood product resume is established, the safety of blood for citizens is improved, and it is also in line with the future development trend of technology and digitization.