Inova Blood Donor Services (IBDS) is one of the recipients of Medical Laboratory Observer’s 2026 Lab of the Year Runner Up Awards! They are located in Sterling, VA and serve more than 8 million patients. They administered more than 550,000 tests in 2025, with only eight techs. The laboratory and donation center work hand in hand to deliver quality and compassionate care. IBDS’ resilience and commitment to patient care made them stand out during the Lab of the Year running.
“Being recognized by MLO as a Lab Runner Up is a great honor for Inova Blood Donor Services and a testament to the critical role our laboratory plays within Inova’s hospital-based blood center,” said Sean McCleary, Vice President, Professional Services, Inova Health System. “Our team is uniquely positioned to test and process donated blood with an unwavering focus on quality and safety, ensuring a safe, pure and potent blood supply for patients across Inova and our healthcare partners throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan region. This recognition reflects the dedication of our laboratory professionals and their commitment to delivering reliable, lifesaving blood products every day.”
An uninterrupted supply chain
Inova’s purpose is “to provide a safe, pure, potent and adequate blood supply for patients in the diverse communities we serve.”1 This starts with their 98.93% fill rate for orders and 739 blood drives conducted in 2025. Inova told MLO that they experienced an “uninterrupted supply chain” in 2025 due to the efforts of their staff and 50,513 donors. They ensure all blood products are compliant with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB).
“For IBDS, regulatory compliance is inseparable from patient outcomes,” commented Darryl Elzie, PsyD, MHA, MLS (ASCP), CQA (ASQ) B+, Manager, Regulatory Affairs, Inova Blood Donor Services. “Every SOP, validation study, and quality review ultimately supports safe transfusion practices across our health system and the region we serve as whole. Being named the MLO’s 2026 Runner-up validates that our regulatory framework is not only vigorously compliant, but it is operationally effective and mission driven.”…