Before Choosing A Stem Cell Bank, What Services Would You Look Out For?

[Prapti Chauhan]

Once you’ve decided upon banking your baby’s cord blood, it’s important for you to take time to research and find out the right cord blood bank, where you can make the correct investment. Undoubtedly, this would be a daunting task for you, but before you invest, weigh your options by checking out if the bank has these services available for you.

Does Your Bank Have These Accreditations and Certifications?

A cord blood bank has accreditations means it follows rigorous quality standards for collecting, processing and storing the umbilical cord, along with the umbilical cord blood.

International quality assurance organisations as well as local governing bodies are responsible for assuring the quality, thus giving the banks the accreditations.

Some of the relevant accreditations are:

• American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), which confirms compliance with US Federal laws
• Drug Controller General India (DCGI)
• College of American Pathologist (CAP), which ensures compliance with testing standards

Does the Bank Offer You the Ability to Collect Stem Cells?

Sign the agreement form of that cord blood bank, that is going to make provisions for collecting the cord blood from hospital, immediately after the baby’s birth. Also, keep in mind that the bank will offer you with a Cord Blood Collection Kit, which will have all the necessary materials to complete the cord blood collection process.

Does the Bank Use Any Technology to Deplete the Red Blood Cells?

Ensure, the bank you select uses exclusive patented and the most advanced technologies (AutoXpress II and CellOptimaTM) to process the cord blood and harvest the highest number of viable stem cells with no-possibility of human inaccuracy. Above all, ensure that the baby’s cord blood be processed in a biologically safe and clean environment inside a well-equipped lab.

Does the Bank Preserve the Cord Blood for a Longer Period of Time?

Make sure that you select a bank, where your baby’s cord blood is kept in frozen state (-190 degrees) anywhere between 21 to 75 years of your baby’s life, which means the baby and the extended family can use the stem cells for treatment even after two decades.

Does the Bank Give You Transportation Liability?

Choose a bank which will take the complete responsibility to deliver that sample unit in time and in good condition at the transplantation centre. And, in case, the stem cells are found to be damaged during transportation from the storage facility to the transplant centre, the bank should be able to offer you with an alternate matching sample along with appropriate monetary compensation.

Is The Bank Insured For Transplant?

Choose a stem cell insurance policy that is comprehensive and covers the cost of treatments for which stem cell transplants are the protocol. In that case, the cost of matching and ensuring the viability of stem cells is also covered. If, at the time of transplant, the stem cells lose their potency, the insurance provider will find a match or offer a monetary compensation.

To Conclude

Cord blood banking is one of the most important decisions of your life. If you see that these above mentioned factors are matching with the cord blood bank you’re choosing, then you’ve made the right choice.