IMPACT OF AIR TRANSPORT ON BLOOD SAMPLE QUALITY.

The aim of this study was to establish the impact of air transport on blood samples packaged with and without cooling elements and effect of outdoor temperature on sample quality. Venous samples from 38 blood donors in winter and 36 in summer were tested for hemolysis and complete blood count. One tube subject was kept in controlled conditions at +4 °C.

Three-Year Experience in NAT Screening of Blood Donors for Transfusion Transmitted Viruses in Croatia.

Background: Croatia implemented individual donation (ID)-NAT testing of blood donors in 2013 for three viruses HBV, HCV, and HIV-1 as a mandatory test for all blood donors. This study assessed the impact of NAT screening 3 years after its implementation.

Methods: A total of 545,463 donations were collected and screened for HBV, HCV, and HIV-1 using the Procleix Ultrio Plus Assay.