Unsanitary conditions, quality control issues prompt Health Canada safety alert at Edmonton cord blood repository
CTV
A safety alert has been issued in connection with cord blood stored at the Canadian Cord Blood bioRepository (CCBR) in Edmonton.
A safety alert has been issued in connection with cord blood stored at the Canadian Cord Blood bioRepository (CCBR) in Edmonton.
The alert impacts any cord blood that was collected, processed, tested, and stored anytime between March 1, 2014, and present.
A visit by Health Canada found multiple issues at the facility, including processing, testing, and storing of cord blood in an environment that was unclean or cleaned with expired disinfectants, had inadequate measures in place to monitor temperature and humidity, and contamination in areas where cord blood is tested, processed, and stored.
Health Canada also found a lack of qualified personnel, the use of uncalibrated equipment, employees not following established processes, and a lack of proper record keeping.
The cord blood "may pose serious health risks," Health Canada said.
Health Canada also says CCBR was advertising online suggesting the cord blood could be used by people other than the person the blood came from, but CCBR is only permitted to store cord blood for use by the donor.
CCBR has been ordered to notify customers currently storing cord blood at the facility of the safety concerns.
