Blood Cold Chain: Storage and Transportation

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Questions and Answers

What is the temperature range required for storing Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)?

Between +2°C and +6°C

At 30°C to 37°C

Between -20°C and -30°C

At -40°C or colder (correct)

Why should Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) be thawed before transfusion?

To make it easier to transport

To reduce the risk of bloodborne diseases

To increase its shelf life

Because it is not usable in its frozen state (correct)

What is the maximum time allowed for transfusing FFP once it has been thawed?

30 minutes (correct)

1 hour

2 hours

4 hours

What happens to the coagulation factors in Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) if it is not stored at the required temperature?

They deteriorate and reduce in quantity Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of cryoprecipitate?

To provide clotting factors, including Factor VIII and Von Willebrand factor Signup and view all the answers

What is the temperature range required for thawing cryoprecipitate?

At 30°C to 37°C Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the 'Blood Cold Chain'?

To store and transport blood at correct temperatures Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum time allowed for transfusing cryoprecipitate once it has been thawed?

4 hours Signup and view all the answers

Why should cryoprecipitate be prepared from plasma that is separated from a unit of blood within 6-8 hours of donation?

To maximize the yield of cryoprecipitate Signup and view all the answers

What is the ideal temperature range for storing red cells and whole blood?

Between +2°C to +6°C Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the upper limit of 6°C for storing red cells and whole blood?

To minimize the growth of bacterial contamination Signup and view all the answers

What happens to red cells if they are stored below 2°C?

They become haemolysed Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of transfusing haemolysed red cells?

Renal failure and fatal bleeding problems Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the blood transport box or insulator carrier?

To keep the temperature under 10°C during transport Signup and view all the answers

How long should red blood cells be transfused within after release from BTS?

Within ½ hour Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if red blood cells are not required after release from BTS?

They should be sent back to Blood center immediately Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Blood Cold Chain

The Blood Cold Chain is the system for storing and transporting blood and blood components to maintain the correct temperature from collection to administration.
Any break in the Blood Cold Chain increases the risks for blood recipients.

Blood Cold Equipment

Blood bank refrigerators, plasma freezers, platelet agitator cum incubators, and blood transport boxes are used to store blood and components.

Whole Blood and Red Cells

Red cells and whole blood must be stored at a temperature between +2°C to +6°C in a blood bank refrigerator.
The temperature range is essential to maintain the oxygen-carrying ability of blood and prevent bacterial contamination.
Red cells become haemolysed below 2°C and must never be allowed to freeze.
Haemolysed cells can cause renal failure and fatal bleeding problems if transfused.
The shelf life of whole blood and red cells ranges from 35-42 days, depending on the type of blood bag used.
Whole blood and red cells should be transported in a blood transport box or insulator carrier to maintain a temperature under 10°C if the room temperature is greater than 25°C or if transfusion is not possible within 30 minutes.
Once issued, red blood cells should be transfused within ½ hour of release from the Blood Transfusion Service (BTS).

Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)

Fresh Frozen Plasma is stored in a Blood Transfusion centre at -40°C or colder.
FFP has a shelf life of one year.
FFP must be thawed before transfusion in a plasma thawing bath at 30°C - 37°C, which takes about 30-45 minutes.
Thawed FFP should be infused within 30 minutes; if not required, it can be kept at 2°C - 6°C and transfused within 24 hours.
Once thawed, FFP cannot be refrozen and must be discarded.

Cryoprecipitate

Cryoprecipitate is the cold insoluble portion of plasma containing Factor VIII, Von Willebrand factor, Factor XIII, and fibrinogen.
Cryoprecipitate is prepared from plasma separated from a unit of blood within 6-8 hours of donation and rapidly frozen.
It is stored in a Blood Transfusion centre at -40°C or colder and has a shelf life of one year.
Cryoprecipitate needs to be thawed at 30°C - 37°C in a water bath for about 15-30 minutes.
Once thawed, cryoprecipitate should be transfused within 30 minutes; if not immediately transfused, it can be kept at 2°C - 4°C and transfused within 4 hours of thawing.

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Description

This quiz assesses knowledge on the Blood Cold Chain, a system for storing and transporting blood and blood components at the correct temperature. It's crucial for safe administration to patients.