Blood Components and Storage
The sensitive nature of blood calls for many standard protocols with regards to its safe storage and transportation. The present article focuses on the major components of blood as well as its safe storage and transportation practices.
Main Components of Blood:
The term “Blood” is often used as an umbrella term to refer to the bodily fluid that consists of components such as plasma, RBC, WBC and platelets. Blood is further divided into 4 blood types, and each person is said to have a certain blood type that could be either RH positive or RH negative.
Red Blood Cells (RBC)
RBCs are the main component of blood. They are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body as well as the elimination of carbon dioxide from the body. They also help maintain normal blood pressure and regulate temperature.
White Blood Cells (WBC)
WBCs are part of the immune system and play an important role in fighting infections. They are made up of several different cell types, including neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, and natural killer cells.
Platelets
Platelets are small fragments of bone marrow that help form clots when bleeding occurs. They also release chemicals that cause inflammation and pain. WBCs are white blood cells that fight infection and defend against foreign invaders.
Plasma
Plasma is the liquid part of whole blood. It contains proteins, electrolytes, hormones, enzymes, and other substances that are needed for normal body functions. Plasma is separated from whole blood during collection and processing.
Cryoprecipitate
Platelets are small fragments of bone marrow cells that help form clots when bleeding occurs. They also play an important role in wound healing.
Storage and Transportation of Blood
Considering the sensitive nature of blood as well as the importance of its appropriate preservation, proper storage and transportation measures need to be followed. Improper storage of blood can lead to dire consequences such as fatalities in the patients who receive blood with dangerous bacterial growth or expired blood.
Blood can usually be stored in a refrigerator that can maintain a stable temperature between 1-6º Celsius for about 42 days. Plasma needs to be frozen and stored at a temperature of ≤-18ºC. Platelets need to be stored at about 22º Celsius for at most 5 days after which they need to be frequently shaken to prevent metabolites from accumulating.
The journey of blood from donors to the recipients involves a lot of transportation, beginning at the blood collection center to blood banks to hospitals. Throughout this process, it is crucial that blood remains stored in containers that maintain the required temperature. Blood banks are also required to follow certain protocols related to safe storage of blood.
Biofridge offers a host of biomedical cold storage devices that adhere to all the safety requirements and protocols of blood storage and transportation. The portable medical freezers and refrigerators ensure to maintain appropriate temperature throughout the transportation process.
They are also equipped with built-in alarms that send out a notification in case the temperature fluctuates beyond the prescribed range. They are also compliant with the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB).
We urge you to have a look at our products to understand which product would be best for you. You could also give us a call on 760-233-8847 and have our representative walk you through this process.
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