Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 18, 1991 TAG: 9104180299
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short
Red Cross officials swiftly said that no diseased blood had been distributed, but admitted there were "deficiencies" in the Portland facility. "No patient has been put at risk," the organization said.
The Food and Drug Administration said an inspection of the American Red Cross Blood Services Pacific Northwest Region found that the agency failed to follow correct procedures, including release of units that were "inadequately or improperly tested for antibody to the AIDS virus or for hepatitis B."
Other shortcomings uncovered in an agency inspection this spring centered on poor record keeping, poor laboratory practices and inadequate screening of donors.
"None of these problems are known to have resulted in transfusion of HIV-infected blood into any recipient," the FDA said. - Associated Press
by CNB