Banks5 min read
12 Questions to Ask Before You Pick a Cord Blood Bank
Marketing brochures are designed to make every bank sound the same. These twelve questions help you cut through the polish and find one you'll trust for the next 20 years.
Accreditation and oversight
- Are you registered with the FDA, and accredited by AABB and/or FACT?
- How often is your facility independently audited?
- What happens to my sample if your company is acquired or goes out of business?
Lab and storage practices
- Where physically is my sample stored, and is the facility climate- and power-redundant?
- Do you use vapor-phase or liquid-phase nitrogen storage?
- What's your published transplant release record (how many samples have been used clinically)?
Costs and contracts
- What's the all-in cost over 20 years, including release and courier fees?
- What are your cancellation and transfer policies?
- Who legally owns the sample, and what happens if I miss a storage payment?
Customer support
- Do you provide a U.S.-based 24/7 contact for delivery day?
- What collection volume thresholds do you require, and what happens if mine is below them?
- Can my OB or hospital easily release the sample if it's ever needed?