Cooley Dickinson closes blood program
After FDA sent letter of warning in August
Updated: Monday, 02 Nov 2009, 7:18 PM EST
Published : Monday, 02 Nov 2009, 11:45 AM EST

Mike Bulda
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - About two months after the FDA took issue with its blood bank procedures, Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton is shutting down its blood donor program.

In August, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent a warning letter to the hospital saying Cooley Dickinson's blood bank failed to defer blood donors who had tested "reactive" to HIV and Hepatitis B and C.

The closure of the blood donor program became effective Friday, October 30.

According to the hospital's website: "Although Cooley Dickinson Hospital has taken the necessary corrective action steps that have met the outside regulatory agencies’ expectations, the hospital has made the decision to close its blood donor program."

Click here to read the full announcement on the hospital's website.

Hospital spokeswoman Christina Trinchero told 22News Cooley Dickenson blood program had been in operation for about 40 years. The blood donor program included services at the hospital, as well as the hospital's blood mobile.

For now, the hospital will contract with an outside agency for access to blood supplies.
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