Aims: The necessity for Platelet Concentrates (PCs) in transfusion has increased, and several measures have been undertaken to try and increase the shelf-life of this product. Increasing the shelf-life to 10 days from the current 5 days will increase availability and reduce waste and cost. However, the PCs need to maintain their safety and therapeutic efficacy over the extended storage time. To ensure the safety of this product, the bag should be sterile, with low concentrations of cytokines to prevent transfusion reactions, and the platelet indices should be within the therapeutic range to ensure efficacy. The aim of this study is to determine whether PCs retain quality standards and thus, remain fit for transfusion after being stored for 10 days in SSP+ at 22±2°C with constant agitation. Study Design:  Qualitative study. Place and Duration of Study: National Blood Transfusion Service Malta, between March 2021 and June 2022. Methodology: In this study, 20 PCs were analysed by sampling on Day 5 and Day 10 of storage and tested for platelet count and indices, pH, sterility of the product and cytokine concentrations. Results: The results obtained showed a significant differences in the platelet count and platelet indices and pH. The difference in cytokine concentration of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF—α) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) were not found to be statistically different between Day 5 and Day 10. Furthermore, 1 PC unit was positive during testing for bacteria detection. Conclusion: These results showed that the difference between Day 5 and Day 10 is not alarming, and further studies should be made to prolong the storage life to 10 days.

BackgroundHemoglobin (Hb) evaluation by point-of-care testing (POCT) identifies borderline or anaemic asymptomatic blood donors. Although quality control checks confirm that this device is fit for use, it is still not clear whether the analyser is performing effectively. A protocol comparing the POCT EKF Diagnostics with the Sysmex XN-550 automated cell counter (ACC) has been designed.MethodsVarious scenarios of Hb measurements from the ACC and the POCT device are compared using the Spearman correlation and Intraclass correlation. The Bland-Altman method was used to analyse the level of agreement between the two devices.ResultsCorrelation between the two devices was best observed in the venous vs venous blood scenario.ConclusionThe POCT device overestimates the Hb levels in capillary blood, meaning that Hb requirements should be adjusted and when feasible testing repeated on venous blood using an ACC. Furthermore, it is suggested thar each Facility determine their own Hb threshold.

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