(b) After freezing the water in the test tube, invert the test tube and place in
a rack in the freezer.
(c) Inspect the test tube on a daily basis to ensure the water is still frozen.
(10)
Liquid red cell units may also be stored in the insulated blood shipment
container outside of the walk-in refrigerator when properly packaged with 14 pounds of
wet, cubed ice. Stored in this manner, re-icing will not normally be required for up to 48
hours.
(11) Locations:
(a) PACOM: Korea, Japan, Alaska, Guam.
(b) EUCOM: Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey.
(c) ACOM: United Kingdom, Iceland, Azores, Puerto Rico.
(d) SOUTHCOM: Panama.
d. Blood Supply Units (BSU). The BSU is a an intermediate supply point in the
distribution of blood between the BTC and the requestors for blood products. The BSU
can usually support a maximum of 12 MTFs depending on the situation. A BSU mission
is to collect (emergency only), receive, store, process, and distribute blood products to
its supported MTFs within a defined geographical area. The BSU should have the
capability of storing up to 5 days of supply of blood products based on the usage rate of
its supported MTFs. The Army BSU is primarily the Medical Logistics (MEDLOG) BBP.
The Air Force BSU is primarily designated MTEs. The Navy BSU is primarily a naval
hospital ship.
(1) Each Service's BSU reports to the AJBPO for blood support, technical, and
operational guidance.
(2) The Army Blood Bank Platoon (BBP)/BSU is located in the Logistics
Support Company of the MEDLOG Battalion (Forward and Rear). It:
(a) Receives, inspects, stores, and prepares blood and blood products for
distribution to supported MTFs/MTEs in an assigned geographic area.
(b) Provides blood support for up to 12 MTFs/MTEs in the geographic
region assigned by the AJBPO.
(c) Provides a 5-day supply of blood to supported MTFs/MTEs in its
assigned geographic area.
MD0868
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