[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 5801]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3105]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket No. 970122011-7011-01]
RIN 0693-XX29


Standards for Blood Banking and Transfusion Services: Request for 
Public Comment

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). 
Commerce.

ACTION: Request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) proposes to 
revise some of its blood banking and transfusion services standards for 
blood collection, processing, storage and transfusion and requests 
public comment on these changes. The purpose of this request is to 
increase public participation in the system used by the AABB to develop 
these standards.
    NIST undertakes publication of this notice as a public service on 
behalf of the AABB. NIST does not necessarily endorse, approve, or 
recommend any of the standards referenced in the notice.
    The AABB is the professional society of more than 2,400 community, 
regional and Red Cross blood centers, hospital-based blood banks and 
transfusion services. It also represents over 9,000 individual members 
engaged in blood banking and transfusion medicine. The AABB sets 
standards, inspects and accredits blood collection and transfusion 
facilities, and provides continuing education and information. Its 
member facilities are responsible for collecting virtually all of the 
nation's blood supply and for transfusing more than 80 percent of the 
blood used for patient care in the United States. Throughout its 50-
year history, the AABB's highest priorities have been transfusion 
safety and maintaining and promoting a safe and adequate blood supply 
for the American people.

DATES: Interested persons may obtain the documents after February 1, 
1997 and should submit comments by 5:00 pm local time on March 15, 
1997.

ADDRESSES: The proposed changes to AABB standards may be obtained 
through the AABB Internet Home Page at ``http://www.aabb.org'' under 
``What's New.'' Those without Internet access may purchase the 
documents from the AABB National Office, 8101 Glenbrook Road, Bethesda, 
MD 20814, (301) 215-6499, fax (301) 907-6895, e-mail [email protected]. 
Ask for publication #ST97IN. Cost is $25 per copy sent to addresses in 
the United States and $35 per copy sent to other locations. Orders must 
be prepaid.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eileen Church, Director of 
Communications, American Association of Blood Banks, (301) 215-6557, e-
mail [email protected].

    Dated: January 30, 1997.
Elaine Bunten-Mines,
Director, Program Office.
[FR Doc. 97-3105 Filed 2-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M