NYT: Problems Persist with Red Cross Blood Services

Michelle Hoyte, a former employer of the American Red Cross, was concerned.  So much so in fact that she invited a team of auditors to visit one of the service organization’s Philadelphia operations.  She then became a whistleblower and was subsequently terminated.  If you believe her version of events, it is because the organization’s senior leadership was essentially neglecting strict safety standards by refusing to recall over 500 units of blood products collected by improper methods. 

Blood collection is big business for the Red Cross, whose ability to steward the distribution of donated blood in this country far outstrips its logistical acumen in coordinating continental and worldwide disaster relief efforts.  Apparently, the drive for revenue from its well known association with blood donation is trumping concerns over its ability to protect the public; consequently,  the FDA is setting its regulatory sights on the Red Cross. | LINK