General Educational Resources on Blood
There are many resources on blood, but our site is directly related to military blood usage. We have many stakeholders and partners whose knowledge and information products we support.
Joint Trauma System
The Joint Trauma System is dedicated to the reduction of morbidity and mortality, and to improved survivability for all trauma patients in wartime and peacetime. The organization employs an organized approach to provide improved trauma care across the continuum of care to trauma patients – battle injury and non-battle injury. The JTS addresses all the components identified with optimal care of a patient from prevention through acute care, rehabilitation and return-to-duty.
JTS maintains many Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) that are directly related to U.S. Military care. All blood related CPGs can be found at https://jts.health.mil/index.cfm/PI_CPGs/cpgs.
Information on Damage Control Resuscitation can be found at https://jts.health.mil/index.cfm/PI_CPGs/damage_control
Deployed Medicine
Deployed Medicine is a platform used by the Defense Health Agency to trial new innovative learning models aimed at improving readiness and performance of deployed military medical personnel.
The intent is to deliver personalized, dynamic learning using the most current and accessible technology, enabling a self-directed and continuous study of medical best practices and lessons learned.
The website contains instructional media for battlefield care, including a collection on blood:
The Deployed Medicine app is available on Google Play and the Apple Store.
AABB
ASBP is regulated by the FDA and the AABB. AABB regulations that the ASBP must follow to maintain accreditation can be found at https://www.aabb.org/regulatory-and-advocacy/regulatory-affairs/regulatory-for-blood
FDA
FDA/CBER is responsible for regulatory oversight of the U.S. blood supply. FDA promulgates and enforces standards for blood collection and for the manufacturing of blood products, including both transfusible components of whole blood, pharmaceuticals derived from blood cells or plasma, and related medical devices. FDA also inspects blood establishments and monitors reports of errors, accidents and adverse clinical events. CBER works closely with other parts of the Public Health Service (PHS) to establish blood standards, and to identify and respond to potential threats to blood safety or supply.
The FDA regulates blood and blood products under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) and the Public Health Service Act (PHSA). Blood product manufacturers must register with the FDA and list their products within five days of starting operations. They must also register and list products annually between October 1 and December 31, and update listings every June and December.
FDA licensure is important because it indicates FDA approval of a blood product. The license number on the product label allows for interstate shipment and helps ensure that blood components meet safety and cGMP standards. Blood establishments must also comply with FDA regulations for blood collection, storage, testing, and processing.
Currently each Service is licensed by the FDA to manufacture blood and blood products, More information can be found at https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/blood-blood-products/regulation-blood-supply
College of American Pathologists
The CAP Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center for Evidence-based Guidelines, along with our professional partners, advances the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine by bringing evidence-based guidelines and consensus recommendations to the forefront of clinical decision making. Adopting these guidelines helps pathologists and laboratory professionals to provide more effective testing with consistent, high-quality results, and expert interpretations.
Their guidelines are posted at https://www.cap.org/protocols-and-guidelines/current-cap-guidelines