The Right Ways of Storing and Handling Donated Blood
                     The Right Ways of Storing and Handling Donated Blood
Medical facilities should store donated blood in effective ways to maintain blood quality. Know 
the best practices of storing donated blood.
Patients often require blood for treating a particular condition. The treatment is called blood 
therapy which requires donated blood. 
You might have not yet known that donated blood is a deep subject, and there are many things 
to know, such as different blood components of blood and storage temperature apart from 
how the red blood cells, platelets and blood plasma are stored and transported.
Blood Components 
In donated blood, red blood cells, platelets, plasma, granulocytes and cryoprecipitate AHF are 
the main transfusable components. An important thing to keep in mind is that white blood cells
are often removed from donated blood before transfusion.
Whole Blood
Platelets, red cells and white cells are the major components of whole blood, which are also the
most common blood donation type. 
Donors transfuse the blood in the original form because it can be separated into certain 
components of plasma, red cells and platelets. And it is also the most flexible form of blood.
Whole blood comes to use when a patient requires all blood components, like those who have 
sustained substantial blood loss because of surgery or trauma.
Red Blood Cells
The red colour of the blood is due to the presence of red blood cells, or erythrocytes. The bone 
marrow produces red blood cells, the main transporter of oxygen to all parts of your body. 
When you exhale air, it takes out Carbon DiOxide from your body.
Platelets
Platelets are small cell fragments in your blood with the main function of sticking to blood 
vessels' lining to prevent bleeding. They are colourless in appearance, and the bone marrow 
manufactures them.
Plasma
Blood plasma is the liquid component in blood that keeps the cellular components in a 
suspended state. In appearance, it is with a colour that varies from bright green to pale yellow 
depending on the person.
Plasma constitutes about 55 per cent of the total blood volume in a human body and is devoid 
of clotting factors or blood serum. About 90 per cent of its constituents are water, and the rest 
is substances, such as electrolytes, plasma proteins, vitamins, hormones and trace elements, 
which can dissolve in water. Its main function is to work as a medium for cellular components 
transportation.
Granulocytes
Granulocytes protect people against infection. They appear in the form of white cells, which 
surround and destroy viruses and bacteria. 
Doctors use them to treat infections when antibiotics fail to respond. And healthcare staff 
gathers Granulocytes through an automated process known as Apheresis. 
Cryo
Cryo constitutes a part of plasma and contributes to the clotting of blood. It also contains 
fibrinogen and Factor VIII. Clotting reduces blood loss during injury or illness.
White Blood Cells
White blood cells are also called leukocytes, which acts as a defence mechanism against 
diseases. White blood cells protect the human body in different ways. While some destroy 
bacteria, some produce antibodies against bacteria and viruses. Some variants fight against 
malignant disease.
White blood cells help you to remain healthy. But when it comes to donated blood, you need to
be careful as it might carry viruses that could weaken your immune system and release toxic 
substances into your body. And that is why transfusable blood components are made free of 
leukocytes through a process called leuko-reduction.
Now, the question is how donated blood is stored and what happens during the storage.
How is Red Blood Cells Stored?
Specialists take out the plasma to prepare red blood cells. Red blood cells can have a 42-day 
shelf life, depending on the anticoagulant used.
Red blood cells have to be transported with proper care and in refrigerators. They can remain in
good condition for 10 years.
How Are Platelets Stored?
Specialists use a centrifuge to separate the plasma rich in platelets from donated blood. They 
then combine platelets from different donors to make one transfusable unit.
Specialists can also obtain phthalates through an apheresis device that draws blood from the 
donor's arm, separates the blood into various components, keeps some phthalates and returns 
the donor's blood.
Platelets can remain in good condition for up to five days at room temperature. But healthcare 
staff needs to impart a general agitation to prevent them from clumping.
How is Blood Plasma Stored?
Specialists store blood plasma in hermetically sealed containers in frozen conditions inside 
plasma storage freezers. It also contains small amounts of pathogens and antigens. 
Transporters should transport blood plasma in frozen conditions.
The activity of the protein in blood plasma can negatively impact the blood plasma quality. If it 
gets exposed to excessive heat, it can decrease the activity, affecting the plasma's quality.  
How to Transport Blood?
Do not fall behind in implementing Good Distribution Practices while transporting and 
distributing blood. The practices set into motion the standard operating procedures(SOP) for 
your lab. Moreover, cleanliness should be a part of your SOPs.
If you detect any deviation of your practices from the SOPs, analyze the deviation and 
implement measures to get things right.
Your SOPs will also become the standard guidelines for transporters to carry blood without 
causing any damages. 
Conclusion
Now, you know the different blood components and how to store and store blood. It is now the
time to assess your refrigerator to figure out whether it is right for your laboratory needs. If 
not, then invest in a good quality refrigerator. Choose a manufacturer that provides the best-in-
class refrigerators to maintain efficiency in your lab functioning.