A computerized national Blood Donor Deferral Register

F. R. Ellis, L. I. Friedman, B. F. Wirak, M. J. Hellinger, W. S. Malin and T. J. Greenwalt

With blood given exclusively by volunteer donors, the American National Red Cross (ANRC) Blood Program aims to supply patients needing transfusion with blood products of the highest quality. The use of blood from volunteers, with its established greater safety, combined with laboratory testing to detect carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HB-SAg) and modern computer technology, creates an effective system to reduce the risk of post-transfusion hepatitis. The ANRC has devised a national Donor Deferral System, which is designed to minimize the transmission of hepatitis by blood and blood products.