International Society of Blood Transfusion
Encyclopedia
The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT), is a scientific society, founded in 1935, which aims to promote the study of blood transfusion
, and to spread the know-how about the manner in which blood transfusion medicine and science best can serve the patient's interests. The society's central office is in Amsterdam
, and there are around 1500 members in more than 90 countries. As of May 2008, the President is Professor Erhard Seifried. Past notable Presidents include Geoffrey Tovey
.
The society organizes every even year an international congress and in odd years two regional congresses, one in Europe and one in Asia. The Society advocates standardisation and harmonisation in the field of blood transfusion. A recent example is a standardized bar coding system for blood for transfusion: the ISBT 128
standard for blood products. Blood banks in the United States
have been expected to use this standard as of May 2008 to meet AABB
Standards. It is also used in the United Kingdom
, Germany
, and other countries.
The other major impact on the transfusion community is the classification of various Human blood group systems
under a common nomenclature. ISBT's coordination also extends to obtaining donors with rare antigens, a process that often involves international searches, and a common terminology is critical to that process.
ISBT also collects and distributes funds for research involving blood and transfusion activities, including research in developing countries. Through Wiley-Blackwell publishing the society manages a research journal entitled Vox Sanguinis, often cited as "Vox Sang".
Blood transfusion
Blood transfusion is the process of receiving blood products into one's circulation intravenously. Transfusions are used in a variety of medical conditions to replace lost components of the blood...
, and to spread the know-how about the manner in which blood transfusion medicine and science best can serve the patient's interests. The society's central office is in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, and there are around 1500 members in more than 90 countries. As of May 2008, the President is Professor Erhard Seifried. Past notable Presidents include Geoffrey Tovey
Geoffrey Tovey
Geoffrey Harold Tovey CBE CBE, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, was a doctor whose scientific contributions in the field of haematology brought him an international reputation. He was also an expert in serology and founder and Director of the UK Transplant Service.-Childhood and early life:Geoffrey Harold Tovey...
.
The society organizes every even year an international congress and in odd years two regional congresses, one in Europe and one in Asia. The Society advocates standardisation and harmonisation in the field of blood transfusion. A recent example is a standardized bar coding system for blood for transfusion: the ISBT 128
ISBT 128
ISBT 128 is a system for identification, labeling and processing of human blood, tissue, and cellular therapy products using an internationally standardized system. The acronym ISBT stands for the International Society of Blood Transfusion...
standard for blood products. Blood banks in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
have been expected to use this standard as of May 2008 to meet AABB
AABB
The AABB is a United States-based professional body and standards organization that was founded in 1947 as the American Association of Blood Banks. The organization is now international with members in 80 countries and has taken on a broader scope to include all of transfusion medicine as well as...
Standards. It is also used in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and other countries.
The other major impact on the transfusion community is the classification of various Human blood group systems
Human blood group systems
The International Society of Blood Transfusion currently recognises 30 major blood group systems . Thus, in addition to the ABO antigens and Rhesus antigens, many other antigens are expressed on the red blood cell surface membrane...
under a common nomenclature. ISBT's coordination also extends to obtaining donors with rare antigens, a process that often involves international searches, and a common terminology is critical to that process.
ISBT also collects and distributes funds for research involving blood and transfusion activities, including research in developing countries. Through Wiley-Blackwell publishing the society manages a research journal entitled Vox Sanguinis, often cited as "Vox Sang".