In order to assure the viability of blood and blood products, the devices in which they are stored shall be closely monitored. The general devices include refrigerators, freezers and platelet incubators.

The refrigerators are provided with a fan for circulating air and have a capacity and design to ensure that the proper temperature is maintained throughout the system.

SHELF LIFE:

The maximum allowable storage time for a blood component held under acceptable temperature and conditions is called it’s-“shelf-life”. During shelf life, conditions for storage and temperature are maintained such that the products, when transfused, have maximum survival in the circulation of the recipient.

STORAGE CONDITIONS OF BLOOD PRODUCTS

Anticoagulant = CPDA-1

S. No.	PRODUCT	STORED IN	TEMPERATURE	EXPIRATION
1.	Whole Blood	Refrigerator	1-6 °C	35-Days
2.	Packed Red Blood Cell	Refrigerator	1-6 °C	35-Days* Open systems: 24 hours (e.g. washed-rbc’s)
3.	Fresh-Frozen Plasma (FFP)	Freezer	-18 °C or below	12-months
4.	FFP-Thawed	Refrigerator	1-6 °C	24 hours
5.	Platelets and/or Apheresis units	(a) Platelet incubator with agitation(b) Platelet incubator without agitation	20-24 °C	5-Days 24 hours
6.	Cryoprecipitated Anti-hemophilic factor (AHF)	Freezer	-18 °C or below	12 months
7.	Cryoprecipitated AHF (Thawed)	Room Temperature (20-24°C)	20-24°C	(a) 4-hours open system(b) 6-hours closed system

PROCEDURE:

Temperature monitoring:-

The temperature of blood and products storing devices shall be monitored on daily basis. The refrigerators, freezers and platelet incubator are equipped with temperature measuring devices (thermometers and thermocouplers).

REFRIGERATOR:

• 2-thermocouplers (high and low) Digital display
• 1-thermometer in distilled water that mimics (resembles) the component’s environment (independent)
• 1-thermocouple in the blue fluid corresponds to the continuous chart recording Device.

FREEZER:

Digital display of temperature.

Internal thermometer (independent)

PLATELET INCUBATOR:

2-thermocouplers:-

(a) Right    ® Attached to continuous recording device

(b) Middle ® Attached to the digital display

REVIEWING TEMPERATURE GRAPHS:

Temperature graphs shall be closely monitored and any fluctuations or spikes on graphs must be initiated with date and reason. Installation and removal of graphs shall be dated and initiated.

CHECKING ALARMS:

The alarm systems on the refrigerators must be checked quarterly. They are checked for activation at both high and low temperatures Non-functioning alarms must be repaired immediately and repair records & corrective actions shall be documented.

MONITORING PLATELETS:

When platelets are stored in an open system (i.e. outside the platelet incubator on a platelet agitator) the ambient temperature shall be monitored every 4-hours, and documented.

DISRUPTION OF REFRIGERATION AND POWER FAILURE:

All freezers and refrigerators used for storing blood and blood products must be on emergency power circuits to maintain power during power failure.

BACK UPS:

There should always be back-up storage devices so that in case of any emergency the blood and products can be transferred immediately to them and the desired temperatures and conditions are maintained.

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