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The N ational H eart, L ung, and B lood I nstitute R ecipient E pidemiology and D onor E valuation S tudy ( REDS ‐ III ): a research program striving to improve blood donor and transfusion recipient outcomes
Author(s) -
Kleinman Steven,
Busch Michael P.,
Murphy Edward L.,
Shan Hua,
Ness Paul,
Glynn Simone A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/trf.12468
Subject(s) - donation , medicine , blood transfusion , epidemiology , business , surgery , political science , law
Background The R ecipient E pidemiology and D onor E valuation S tudy‐ III ( REDS ‐ III ) is a 7‐year multicenter transfusion safety research initiative launched in 2011 by the N ational H eart, L ung, and B lood I nstitute. Study Design and Methods The domestic component involves four blood centers, 12 hospitals, a data coordinating center, and a central laboratory. The international component consists of distinct programs in B razil, C hina, and S outh A frica, which involve US and in‐country investigators. Results REDS ‐ III is using two major methods to address key research priorities in blood banking and transfusion medicine. First, there will be numerous analyses of large “core” databases; the international programs have each constructed a donor and donation database while the domestic program has established a detailed research database that links data from blood donors and their donations, the components made from these donations, and data extracts from the electronic medical records of the recipients of these components. Second, there are more than 25 focused research protocols involving transfusion recipients, blood donors, or both that either are in progress or are scheduled to begin within the next 3 years. Areas of study include transfusion epidemiology and blood utilization, transfusion outcomes, noninfectious transfusion risks, human immunodeficiency virus–related safety issues (particularly in the international programs), emerging infectious agents, blood component quality, donor health and safety, and other donor issues. Conclusions It is intended that REDS ‐ III serve as an impetus for more widespread recipient and linked donor–recipient research in the U nited S tates as well as to help assure a safe and available blood supply in the United States and in international locations.