Blood donors nationwide
929 medical institutions across Taiwan
Medical blood transfusion patients
Taiwan Blood Services Foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit public welfare organization. Since February 1, 2013, it has comprehensively implemented nucleic acid testing (NAT) for blood donors, covering HIV, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus. It has established a voluntary blood donation system to provide comprehensive services to both donors and recipients.
Comprehensive three-in-one viral nucleic acid testing (HIV/HCV/HBV)
Minipool of 8 donor samples (MP8) screening mode
Laboratory certified with ISO 15189 medical laboratory accreditation
Participation in multiple international proficiency testing programs (CAP, NRL, Taiwan Medical Technologists Association)
Private consultation space to enhance donor honesty
Coordination with disease control authorities to prevent HIV-positive donors
4 blood donation centers nationwide (Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung, Kaohsiung)
64 fixed donation points (including 14 blood stations)
141 mobile blood donation units
2023 whole blood donations: 1,724,979 times
2023 apheresis platelet donations: 176,042 times
2023 total blood products supplied: 4,060,222 units to 929 medical institutions
Since February 1, 2013, comprehensive NAT implementation has resulted in zero transfusion-transmitted infections of HIV, HCV, or HBV over 10 years
Total NAT tests performed over 10 years: 17,922,047
Additional detection compared to serological screening: 12 HIV-positive, 83 HCV-positive, 4,245 HBV-positive cases
Total prevention of clinical transfusion of 13,020 bags of infectious blood products
Individual nucleic acid testing (IDT) detection limits (95% detection rate): HIV 18.0 IU/mL, HCV 3.0 IU/mL, HBV 4.3 IU/mL
Minipool of 8 (MP8) detection limits: HIV 144 IU/mL, HCV 24 IU/mL, HBV 34 IU/mL
Window period significantly reduced compared to serological testing:
HIV: from 22 days to 11 days
HCV: from 82 days to 23 days
HBV: from 56 days to 36 days
Blood donation service satisfaction survey effective recovery rate: 23.43%
Overall satisfaction rating (2024 data):
5 stars (very satisfied): 70.03%
4 stars (satisfied): 17.54%
3 stars (neutral): 8.16%
2 stars (dissatisfied): 2.61%
1 star (very dissatisfied): 1.66%
From 2024 onwards, electronic questionnaires (SurveyCake) and raffle incentives implemented to increase participation
Laboratory certified with ISO 15189 medical laboratory accreditation
Bi-annual participation in American Academy of Pathologists (CAP) proficiency testing
Tri-annual participation in Australian National Serum Laboratory (NRL) proficiency testing
Bi-annual participation in Taiwan Medical Technologists Association proficiency testing
Compared to advanced international countries (USA, UK, Germany, Spain, Brazil, South Africa), Taiwan's 10-year NAT implementation has zero transfusion-transmitted infections, outperforming other nations
Cost-benefit analysis (2013-2016):
NAT testing cost approximately NT$740 million
Estimated medical cost savings totaling NT$1.03 billion
Net benefit of NT$290 million
MP8 mode achieves ideal balance between cost-effectiveness and blood safety
Effectively enhances blood safety while reducing screening costs
Establishes voluntary blood donation system with comprehensive safety assurance
Positions Taiwan as a leader in safe medical blood supply
