STORAGE AND HANDLING

After blood is processed into blood components, the latter are stored in quarantine until lab tests are completed. If lab test results are appropriate, they are stored under optimal temperature conditions until they are issued for a patient.

The shelf life and storage temperature for individual blood components:

• concentrated erythrocytes at 4°C ± 2°C for up to 42 days,
• concentrated platelets (pathogen inactivated) at 22°C ± 2°C for up to 7 days,
• fresh frozen plasma (FFP) at temperatures below -18°C for up to 3 months or at temperatures below -25°C for up to 3 years.

The transport of blood must be as fast as possible and must take place under optimal conditions for each blood component. Any deviations from the optimum temperature can affect the viability of cells, the quality of a blood component and the efficiency of transfusion.