Blood products
The transfusion requirements of a patient are determined by clinical status and laboratory results. Transfusion decisions should take into account the clinical transfusion guidelines, modified to patient needs, and ensuring that the benefits outweigh the risks.
Please know that the blood banks treat all patient and donor information and data confidential and comply with the POPI (Protection of Personal Information) act.
Informed consent must be obtained from the patient for all transfusions of blood or blood products.
In line with the Standards for Practice of Blood Transfusion in SA, no blood products may be issued without the signature of the Medical Practitioner on the Cross match Request Form or a person acting on his/her instructions. All patients’ details on the request form and specimen label must agree.
1.Red Cell Products
Red Cell Products should be stored between 1°C – 6°C
- Red Cell Concentrate in additive solution, Buffy coat removed
What is it used for: To increase tissue oxygenation due to reduced haemoglobin concentration.
- Red Cell Concentrate (Leucodepleted)
What is it used for: To increase tissue oxygenation due to reduced haemoglobin concentration, when the recipient may receive repeated transfusions.
- Red Cell Concentrate in additive solution
What is it used for: To increase tissue oxygenation due to reduced haemoglobin concentration.
- Red Cell Concentrate Paediatric (Leucodepleted)
What is it used for: To increase tissue oxygenation in paediatrics due to reduced haemoglobin concentration, when the recipient may receive repeated transfusions.
2.Whole Blood (<5 days old)
- Whole Blood Leucodepleted ( <5 Days old)
What is it used for: Neonatal exchange transfusion.
3. Platelets products
Platelets should be used immediately after issue. They should not be refrigerated.
- Platelet Concentrate Pooled Non-leucodepleted
What is it used for: Thrombocytopaenia or platelet function abnormalities
- Platelet Concentrate Leucodepleted (Apheresis)
What is it used for: Thrombocytopaenia or platelet function abnormalities
- Platelet Concentrate Paediatric Leucodepleted
What is it used for: Thrombocytopaenia or platelet function abnormalities in paediatrics.
4. Plasma products
Donor re-tested – Issued only after subsequent donation from the same donor has been re-tested, and found negative for markers of transmissible diseases. MUST BE TRANSFUSED IMMEDIATELY AFTER ISSUE
- Cryoprecipitate
What is it used for: Hypofibrinogenaemia and factor Xlll deficiency
- Fresh Frozen Plasma – Adult and Paediatric
What is it used for: For clotting factors
- FFP – (Cryo-poor)
What is it used for: TTP
- Special requests
Contact the blood bank. Advance notice is required.
What is Plasma?
Plasma is the liquid part of your blood in which red cells, white cells and platelets are suspended. It carries these components throughout the body and makes up about 55% of your total blood volume. Plasma also contains antibodies, clotting factors and proteins such as albumin and fibrinogen.
You donate a bit of plasma when you make a normal whole blood donation, but you can also donate plasma only. This is done through a process called plasmapheresis or source plasma donation where plasma is separated and collected while the red cells, white cells and platelets are returned to your body.
Who should donate plasma?
Although anyone who meets normal donation criteria can donate plasma, we specifically need blood group A and AB donors aged 18 to 65 years to consider donating this special source plasma.
How often can I donate plasma?
You can donate plasma every two weeks to a maximum of 24 times a year.
Where can I donate plasma?
Please speak to your local blood donation Centre or contact our toll free number (0800 119 031) to find out where you can donate plasma today.
Irradiated Products
For the prevention of transfusion-associated graft-versus host disease
5. HLA-matched platelets concentrate
Single donor apheresis platelet concentrate
6. Other special services
Autologous and Directed Programmes
Washed products
Cryo-preserved Cells
For trusfusion medicine consultation
Please contact the nearest Blood Bank for doctor on call
Indication
- Prevention of transfusion transmitted CMV.
- Potential haemopoietic transplant recipients.
- Intrauterine transfusions and children <1 year of age.
- Prevention of febrile non-haemolytic transfusion reactions.
Leucocyte deleted (leucodepleted) products
Filtered under laboratory conditions. This ensures optimal removal of leucocytes to minimise cytokine release. Leukocyte depletion will result in a leukocyte count of <5 x 106 per unit and usually <1 x 106 per unit.
Accessories
- Blood administration set: For the infusion of whole blood and red cell concentrate.
- Platelet administration set: For the infusion of platelets.
- Blood pack without anticoagulant: For therapeutic bleeding.
- Blood pack with anticoagulant: For blood salvage and subsequent autologous re-infusion.
Types of crossmatch
Type and Screen
The specimen will be grouped and tested to ensure that it does not contain antibodies which could delay finding compatible blood. The specimen will be held for 96 hours. Blood will only be cross-matched when requested by the attending doctor.
- Standard Cross-match is done within 2 hours
- Emergency cross-match requires 20 – 30 minutes
- No cross-match requires 5 – 10 minutes
- Post-Natal within 2hours
Blood issued on emergency or without compatibility test is transfused at the attending doctor’s own responsibility. There are risks involved in emergency procedures – use them only for genuine emergencies.
Cross-matched products will be held in reserve for 24 hours unless otherwise indicated by the attending doctor.
Blood returnable basis (BRB)
Blood is transported in a temperature controlled hamper. Provided the blood is returned within 10 hours of issue, remains sealed in the hamper and the temperature of the hamper does not exceed 10 C, the fee for the blood will fall away. However, the service and laboratory test charge will be levied.
Informed consent
As with any treatment, the patient has the right to decide whether or not to accept the treatment. As far as possible the patient should understand the benefits, risks and alternatives to transfusion as explained by the prescribing doctor. Informed consent is a process which must be acknowledged and documented.