Blood Banking: a better outlook than high street banking!
Blood transfusions are a critical treatment option that has saved many lives. Between a donor giving blood and it being transfused to the patient, a number of steps need to take place, and this involves lots of companies, all specialising in different areas.
This report outlines the European Market for blood banking.
As a market, it is subject to very strict regulation because of the potentially fatal effects of transfusing the wrong blood type and cross-infection risk. Blood banking does not just concern full blood, but the components such as plasma and immune-globulins, which can be used as therapies for patients with autoimmune conditions. Cord blood has enormous potential since it contains stem cells, and is the subject of much research. As more therapies are discovered, blood products will find further uses thanks to refining processes. New instruments and reagent systems are being developed which will help with this. Innovative IT applications, and tools for specimen preparation devices, control and calibrators are creating market opportunities.
Blood banks are run on a large scale and to exact requirements. This has created the demand for specialised services which are growing to help support this crucial hospital service
