Opinion ID: 1392599
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Transfusion of Blood as a Professional Service

Text: Having concluded that South Carolina recognizes a professional standard of care, we must next decide whether the collection and processing of blood for transfusion is a medical service. We acknowledged in Samson v. Greenville Hospital System , 295 S.C. 359, 368 S.E. (2d) 665 (1988) that Section 44-43-19 reflected a legislative intent to ... characterize the transfusion of blood as a medical service. 368 S.E. (2d) at 667. Since the transfusion of blood is characterized as a skilled medical service, then we hold that the Red Cross, as a blood collector and processor, should be treated as a professional. Thus, in order to maintain her action for negligence, Doe must prove the Red Cross failed to conform to the generally recognized and accepted practices in its profession. We find ample support for our holding in other jurisdictions. See, Shelby v. St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital , Civ. Action No. H-86-3780 (S.D. Tex Mar. 17, 1988) [1988 WL 28996]; Hines v. St. Joseph's Hospital , 86 N.M. 763, 527 P. (2d) 1075 (Ct. App.), cert. denied , 87 N.M. 111, 529 P. (2d) 1232 (1974); Hutchins v. Blood Services of Montana , 161 Mont. 359, 506 P. (2d) 449 (1973); Kozup v. Georgetown University , 663 F. Supp. 1048 (D.D.C. 1987); aff'd in relevant part , 851 F. (2d) 437 (D.C. Cir.1988).