Internal quality control of blood products: An experience from a tertiary care hospital blood bank from Southern Pakistan

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:Internal quality control (IQC) is the backbone of quality assurance program. In blood banking, the quality control of blood products ensures the timely availability of a blood component of high quality with maximum efficacy and minimal risk to potential recipients. The main objective of this study is to analyze the IQC of blood products as an indicator of our blood bank performance.METHODS:An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at the blood bank of Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, from January 2014 to December 2015. A total of 100 units of each blood components were arbitrarily chosen during the study. Packed red cell units were evaluated for hematocrit (HCT); random platelet concentrates were evaluated for pH, yield, and culture; fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and cryoprecipitate (CP) were evaluated for unit volume, factor VIII, and fibrinogen concentrations.RESULTS:A total of 400 units were tested for IQC. The mean HCT of packed red cells was 69.5 ± 7.24, and in 98% units, it met the standard (<80% of HCT). The mean platelet yield was 8.8 ± 3.40 × 109/L and pH was ≥6.2 in 98% bags; cultures were negative in 97% of units tested. Mean factor VIII and fibrinogen levels were found to be 84.24 ± 15.01 and 247.17 ± 49.69 for FFP, respectively. For CP, mean factor VIII and fibrinogen level were found to be 178.75 ± 86.30 and 420.7 ± 75.32, respectively.CONCLUSION:The IQC of blood products at our blood bank is in overall compliance and met recommended international standards. Implementation of standard operating procedures, accomplishment of standard guidelines, proper documentation with regular audit, and staff competencies can improve the quality performance of the transfusion services.

Stability of coagulation factors in feline fresh frozen plasma intended for transfusion after 1 year of storage

“…Two studies from human transfusion centres have addressed this fact: the first, published in 1992 and performed in six different transfusion centres, reported that only 40.9% of FFP units had <70% factor VIII, while the second study, published in 2018, reported that >70% of factor VIII activity was observed in 95% of the FFP units. 17,18 Both studies were performed in different countries, but the authors hypothesised that this could also reflect storage and management improvements over time, as 16 years separate both studies. In the future, the same improvements may be observed in feline plasma blood banking as more knowledge is gathered, allowing the improvement of storage protocols.…”

Evaluation de la qualité des concentrés de globules rouges produits au Centre National de Transfusion Sanguine de Lomé

“…Les moyennes de l'hématocrite étaient 62,11±10,19 et 60,27±10,77 respectivement pour les CGRUA et CGRUE. Au Pakistan, Sultan S et al ont retrouvé un résultat similaire soit 69.5±7.24 sur 400 CGR contrôlés [3]. Pour l'hématocrite, 43,13% (n=64) des CGRUA étaient conformes.…”

“…Dans la thérapeutique transfusionnelle, les concentrés de globules rouges (CGR) sont utilisés essentiellement dans les anémies symptomatiques avec pour but d'améliorer le taux d'hémoglobine (Hb) du patient [1, 2]. Pour assurer l'efficacité de la transfusion, il faut utiliser le bon produit chez le bon patient au bon endroit et au bon moment [3, 4]. Depuis l'année 2003 que le CNTS produit et distribue différents produits sanguins labiles, une seule étude de contrôle qualité de ces produits fut réalisée en 2006 [5].…”

Progress in the overall understanding of typhoid fever: implications for vaccine development

“…There have been sporadic reports of resistance to azithromycin [47,48], and this is of concern given its widespread use in the outpatient management of typhoid fever and other systemic infections. Azithromycin treatment produces higher intracellular concentrations than serum levels of the antibiotic and it is thus difficult to interpret laboratory azithromycin sensitivity for S. Typhi [49].…”