To ensure a transplant is successful, the quality of the cord blood unit is critical. There are two international societies that accredit cord blood banks: AABB and FACT. WMDA is working closely with FACT to develop and sustain the NetCord-FACT accreditation programme.
If a cord blood bank is NetCord-FACT accredited, the quality of the cord blood is ensured as follows:
Protection of personal data: only the number identifying the cord blood unit will be listed; the name of the baby or the mother is not associated with the cord blood.
Accurate education: pregnant women receive complete information and have the opportunity to ask questions about the cord blood collection process.
Voluntary: the cord blood units have been donated voluntarily for any patient in need of a transplant.
Donor rights: mothers are informed that they can change their mind about donating blood stem cells at any time, without any undue embarrassment or discomfort, and provide informed consent.
Authorised use: WMDA aims to protect donors against blood stem cell trafficking, transplant tourism and commercialism, including incentives. Blood stem cells are only provided to authorised transplant centres overseen by local official authorities.
Informed consent: an informed consent is available from the mother of the cord blood donor personally.
