Defending the Blood Supply Against Infectious Diseases

Measles, mumps, and tuberculosis—these are all diseases the general public has long disregarded as active threats. Yet, these highly infectious and potentially life-threatening diseases once considered eradicated have been resurfacing across the United States. Measles, for example, was declared eliminated in 2000 by the CDC, yet this year alone more than 1,200 individual cases have been confirmed in 30 states. This outbreak represents the greatest number of reported cases for the disease in the United States since 1992.1 While the ongoing anti-vaccination movement may not be the cause of these reappearances, it does open windows of opportunity for these diseases to reemerge. It also poses threats to healthcare workers collecting samples for diagnosis, potentially exposing them to airborne viruses, and places donated blood and its recipients at risk throughout the transfusion process. As the blood supply continues to reach dangerously low levels—so much so that the Red Cross recently issued a public plea for donations2—it is crucial that the remaining supply is protected during the testing and transfusion process, starting with the healthcare worker who is drawing blood from a patient. Specially engineered porous polymer materials used in devices for clinical, analytical, and blood transfusion testing can help enhance the level of protection and safeguard the nation’s critical blood supply. RISKS TO PATIEN...
Source: MDDI - Category: Medical Devices Authors: Tags: Components Source Type: news