Blood banking is a vital component of modern healthcare, ensuring that safe and effective blood and its components are available for patients in need. The process of blood collection, processing, and storage is governed by strict guidelines to maintain the quality, safety, and efficacy of blood products. This blog provides a detailed look at how blood is collected, processed, stored, and used, with a focus on the technical aspects of storage conditions and their importance.
Collection of Whole Blood in Blood Banks
How is Whole Blood Collected?
Whole blood is collected from voluntary donors using specialized blood bags. These bags are sterile and contain an anticoagulant-preservative solution to prevent clotting and preserve the blood during storage. The process involves the following steps:
Donor Screening:
Donors are screened for eligibility based on age (18–65 years), weight (minimum 45 kg), hemoglobin levels (minimum 12.5 g/dL for females and 13.5 g/dL for males), and medical history.
Screening ensures the safety of both the donor and the recipient by excluding individuals with infectious diseases, recent illnesses, or high-risk behaviors.
Donor eligibility criteria might vary between countries.
Click here to read more about donor eligibility.
Venipuncture:
A sterile needle is inserted into the donor’s vein, and blood is collected into the blood bag.
The blood bag contains an anticoagulant solution, such as CPDA (Citrate Phosphate Dextrose Adenine) or CPD-SAGM (Citrate Phosphate Dextrose with Saline Adenine Glucose Mannitol), to prevent clotting and preserve red blood cells.
Volume Collected:
Typically, 350 mL or 450 mL of blood is collected, depending on the donor’s weight and the blood bank’s guidelines.
The collected blood is labeled with a unique identification number and transported to the processing area under controlled conditions.
Processing of Whole Blood before store
Whole blood is rarely transfused as it is. Instead, it is separated into its components to maximize its utility. The processing involves centrifugation to separate the blood into:
Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBC)
Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)
Platelets
Cryoprecipitate
Each component has specific storage requirements and uses, which are tailored to preserve their functionality and extend their shelf life.
Click here to know more about the journey of blood inside the blood bank.
Blood Component store
1. Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBC)
Storage Temperature: PRBCs are stored at 2°C to 6°C in a blood bank refrigerator.
Shelf Life:
With CPDA anticoagulant: 35 days.
With additive solutions (like SAGM): 42 days.
Click here to read more about different modifications of PRBC.
Why Such Conditions are Needed:
Red blood cells are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Storage at 2°C to 6°C slows down metabolic activity, preventing hemolysis (rupture of red blood cells) and bacterial growth.
Additive solutions like SAGM provide nutrients (adenine, glucose, and mannitol) that extend the shelf life of PRBCs by maintaining cell viability.
Indications: PRBCs are used to treat anemia, blood loss due to surgery or trauma, and chronic conditions like thalassemia and sickle cell anemia.
2. Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)
Storage Temperature: FFP is stored at -30°C or lower in a deep freezer.
Shelf Life: Up to 1 year from the date of collection.
Why Such Conditions are Needed:
Freezing at -30°C or lower preserves the clotting factors and proteins in plasma. Thawing must be done at 37°C in a water bath to ensure these factors remain active.
If stored at higher temperatures, clotting factors degrade, rendering FFP ineffective.
Indications: FFP is used to treat clotting factor deficiencies, liver disease, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and massive transfusions.
3. Platelets
Storage Temperature: Platelets are stored at 20°C to 24°C with constant agitation in a platelet agitator.
Shelf Life: 5 days from the date of collection.
Why Such Conditions are Needed:
Platelets are highly sensitive to temperature changes. Storage at 20°C to 24°C prevents activation and clumping.
Agitation ensures that platelets remain suspended in plasma, preventing sedimentation and maintaining their functionality.
Storage beyond 5 days increases the risk of bacterial contamination and loss of platelet function.
Indications: Platelets are used to treat thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), bleeding disorders, and patients undergoing chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation.
4. Cryoprecipitate
Storage Temperature: Cryoprecipitate is stored at -30°C or lower.
Shelf Life: Up to 1 year from the date of collection.
Why Such Conditions are Needed:
Cryoprecipitate is rich in fibrinogen, Factor VIII, von Willebrand factor, and other clotting proteins. Freezing at -30°C or lower preserves these proteins.
Thawing must be done at 37°C to ensure the proteins remain active.
Indications: Cryoprecipitate is used to treat hemophilia A, von Willebrand disease, fibrinogen deficiency, and bleeding associated with massive transfusions.
Importance of Proper Storage Conditions
The storage conditions for blood components are meticulously designed to preserve their functionality and safety. Here’s why these conditions are critical:
Preventing Bacterial Growth:
Blood components, especially platelets and PRBCs, are susceptible to bacterial contamination. Proper temperature control minimizes this risk.
Preserving Cellular Integrity:
Red blood cells and platelets are fragile. Storage at the correct temperature prevents hemolysis (rupture of red blood cells) and maintains platelet function.
Maintaining Clotting Factors:
Clotting factors in FFP and cryoprecipitate are heat-sensitive. Freezing at -30°C or lower ensures their stability.
Extending Shelf Life:
Additive solutions and proper storage conditions extend the shelf life of blood components, reducing wastage and ensuring availability.
Ensuring Efficacy:
Proper storage ensures that blood components remain effective for their intended use, whether it’s oxygen transport (PRBCs), clotting (FFP and cryoprecipitate), (platelets).
The Importance of Blood and Its Components
Blood and its components are indispensable in modern medicine. They play a critical role in:
Treating trauma patients and those undergoing major surgeries.
Managing chronic conditions like thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, and hemophilia.
Supporting cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.
Saving lives during childbirth complications and severe bleeding episodes.
By donating blood and ensuring its proper storage, we contribute to a robust healthcare system that can respond effectively to emergencies and save countless lives.
Conclusion
Blood banking is a highly technical and essential process that ensures the availability of safe and effective blood components for patients in need. From collection to storage, every step is meticulously planned and executed to maintain the quality of blood products. The strict storage conditions for PRBCs, FFP, platelets, and cryoprecipitate are designed to preserve their functionality and extend their shelf life. By understanding the importance of proper storage and the uses of different blood components, we can appreciate the critical role blood banks play in healthcare. Donate blood, save lives, and support this vital cause!
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