Blood Banking Instrumentation Overview

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Study Notes

Blood banking involves collecting, testing, and storing blood.
A blood donor gives blood for transfusion.
Blood transfusion is transferring blood or blood products from a donor to a recipient.
The American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) was formed in 1947.
AABB estimates 6.8 million volunteers donate blood annually.
Approximately 13.6 million units of whole blood and red blood cells were donated in the US in 2013.
A blood transfusion is needed every three minutes globally.
One in ten hospital patients requires a blood transfusion.

Define blood bank, blood transfusion, donor, recipient, and AABB.
List instruments needed in a blood bank.
Explain AABB standards for refrigerators, freezers, and ultra-deep freezers.
Describe the functions of a blood monitor, plasma extractor, and platelet agitator.

Donation Chair: Used for blood collection.
Blood Bags: Containers holding blood.
Blood Collection Mixer: Mixes blood components.
Tube Sealer: Seals blood bags for preventing leakage and hemolysis.
Blood Bank Refrigerator: Stores blood at 1-8°C.
Plasma Freezer: Stores plasma at -30°C.
Platelet Agitator: A device for agitating platelet concentrates at 20-24°C.
Plasma Extractor: Extracts plasma from blood.
Plasma Thawing Water Bath: Used for thawing frozen plasma samples heated at 36 degrees Celsius.
Refrigerated Centrifuge: Separates blood components (e.g. platelets, plasma, red blood cells) at 4°C.
Blood Collection Monitor: A blood mixer for donation rooms and outdoor camps; ensures smooth mixing, volume accuracy, and precise monitoring of time and flow rate.
Ultra-Low Freezer (ULT): Stores blood samples at -86°C for extended periods.

The ideal temperature range for storing whole blood and most red blood cell components is 1°C to 6°C.
The standard set point for blood bank refrigerators is 4°C.
Plasma components must be stored at -18°C or below. The lifespan of plasma under these conditions is 12 months.
Blood or blood component temperatures must be tracked continually and documented at least every 4 hours.