LifeServe Blood Center providing COFID-19 antibody test results
September 18, 2020
In partnership with the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, LifeServe Blood Center is assisting in the fight against COVID-19 by testing blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies to help understand the spread of the virus and to help identify individuals who may be eligible to provide convalescent plasma for critically ill hospital patients suffering from COVID-19. Click here for more details. This is not a diagnostic test to determine if you have the COVID-19 virus. LifeServe Blood Center is only providing antibody test results. Donors who feel unwell or who are displaying symptoms of any illness are not eligible to donate.
“This is a great step in helping to understand the spread of COVID-19 across the state. In partnership with Iowa State University, every volunteer blood donor who consents to this testing will be able to receive COVID-19 antibody test results as a part of their normal blood donation process,” said Danielle West, LifeServe’s Director of PR and Marketing. “Positive test results will be provided to the Iowa Department of Public Health for further research and investigation to understand the impact of the virus among a healthy subset of the population.”
COVID-19 antibody testing will also be used to identify individuals who can provide convalescent plasma for critically ill COVID-19 patients. Convalescent plasma has become a critical component to the treatment protocol for seriously ill COVID-19 patients. A national program, funded by BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority) has been created to increase the amount of convalescent plasma collected across the country.
“Convalescent plasma has made an incredible impact on our treatment options of COVID-19 at UnityPoint Health – Des Moines,” says Dr. Leyla Best, an infectious specialist at UnityPoint Health. “Convalescent plasma is readily available to us when needed for our hospitalized patients and has also helped other patients around the country. The addition of antibody testing on all donors is a significant step in this continued care.” Dr. Best noted several studies showcasing the successes of convalescent plasma in survival and oxygenation rates in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
COVID-19 antibody test results will be available in a blood donor’s secure LifeServe Blood Center online profile 5-7 days after their blood donation. This is not a diagnostic test. Those who are feeling unwell or who are exhibiting symptoms are not eligible to donate blood. If individuals suspect they have COVID-19, they must cancel their blood donation appointment and contact their primary care provider. Only individuals who are healthy, volunteer blood donors are eligible for antibody testing.
To help ensure the safety of our team members and other blood donors, we are enforcing the following precautionary measures:
“This is a great step in helping to understand the spread of COVID-19 across the state. In partnership with Iowa State University, every volunteer blood donor who consents to this testing will be able to receive COVID-19 antibody test results as a part of their normal blood donation process,” said Danielle West, LifeServe’s Director of PR and Marketing. “Positive test results will be provided to the Iowa Department of Public Health for further research and investigation to understand the impact of the virus among a healthy subset of the population.”
COVID-19 antibody testing will also be used to identify individuals who can provide convalescent plasma for critically ill COVID-19 patients. Convalescent plasma has become a critical component to the treatment protocol for seriously ill COVID-19 patients. A national program, funded by BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority) has been created to increase the amount of convalescent plasma collected across the country.
“Convalescent plasma has made an incredible impact on our treatment options of COVID-19 at UnityPoint Health – Des Moines,” says Dr. Leyla Best, an infectious specialist at UnityPoint Health. “Convalescent plasma is readily available to us when needed for our hospitalized patients and has also helped other patients around the country. The addition of antibody testing on all donors is a significant step in this continued care.” Dr. Best noted several studies showcasing the successes of convalescent plasma in survival and oxygenation rates in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
COVID-19 antibody test results will be available in a blood donor’s secure LifeServe Blood Center online profile 5-7 days after their blood donation. This is not a diagnostic test. Those who are feeling unwell or who are exhibiting symptoms are not eligible to donate blood. If individuals suspect they have COVID-19, they must cancel their blood donation appointment and contact their primary care provider. Only individuals who are healthy, volunteer blood donors are eligible for antibody testing.
To help ensure the safety of our team members and other blood donors, we are enforcing the following precautionary measures:
- Appointments are required. Donors who do not have appointments will not be able to give blood. Click here to schedule an appointment at a blood drive near you!
- We are asking that blood donors pre-screen themselves for fever prior to appointments. Only donors with temperatures under 99.5 will be allowed to donate. If your temperature is higher than 99.5, please reschedule here or by calling us at 800.287.4903.
- Blood donors are required to wear a mask for the duration of their appointment. If you do not have a mask, we will provide you one.
- Click here to see a full list of precautions we're taking during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Contact:
Danielle West, PR & Marketing Manager
danielle.west@lifeservebloodcenter.org, (515) 309-4968
