1-21. TRANSPORTATION OF FROZEN COMPONENTS
Packing must assure that the component being transported is maintained at or
below its required storage temperature. For example, if fresh-frozen plasma (required
to be stored below 18C) is to be packed for a 10-hour trip, enough dry ice must be
used to assure that the plasma stays below 18C. The insulation qualities of a clean,
plastic air bubble packaging material have been useful in maintaining temperatures of
frozen components and protecting them from mechanical damage. Small pieces of
styrofoam (disc, peanut-shape, and so forth) are useful. Too much distance between dry ice
and components must be avoided. Careful sealing with masking tape of an inner and
outer container is most important. Adequate quantities of dry ice and insulating
characteristics of the container must be determined for each situation.
1-22. DONOR BLOOD INSPECTION
a. All units in the storage refrigerator must be examined periodically during
storage (daily inspection is recommended) and immediately before issue. Records of
these inspections must be maintained and the date shown; donor number and
description of any abnormal units, action taken, and personnel identities must be given.
Blood should be rejected for transfusion if the color or other physical appearance is
abnormal. Contamination is suspected if the red blood cell mass has a purple color, if a
zone of hemolysis is observed just above the cell mass, or if clots are visible. Other
obvious features that can make blood unsuitable for transfusion are purple, brown, or
red plasma. Green plasma may be a harmless manifestation of the use of oral
contraceptives. Inadequate sealing or closure, sometimes indicated by blood or plasma
at sealing joints in the tubing or ports, renders the unit suspect and possibly unsuitable
for transfusion.
b. Blood units that are questionable for any of the above reasons should be
quarantined until their disposition is decided. The unit should be gently inverted a few
times to mix the cells and plasma since a great deal of undetected hemolysis, clotting, and
so forth, may have taken place within the red blood cell mass. If, after sedimentation, the
blood no longer appears abnormal, it may be returned to the available blood supply.
Appropriate records should be completed by the responsible persons.
c. Abnormal blood that cannot be released for transfusion should be
investigated and the abnormality recorded before it is destroyed. Results of the
investigation may indicate the need for improvement in donor techniques, screening of
donors, handling of blood units during processing, or notification of the donor, local
health department, or both. Disposal procedures must conform to the local public
health codes. Autoclaving, then incineration, are recommended.
MD0845
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