Quality indicators for discarding blood in the National Blood Center, Kuala Lumpur

Abstract

Background and Objective:The implementation of quality system and continuous evaluation of all activities of the Blood Transfusion Services (BTS) can help to achieve the maximum quantity and quality of safe blood. Optimizing blood collection and processing would reduce the rate of discard and improve the efficiency of the BTS. The objective of this study is to determine the rate of discard of blood and blood component and identify its reasons at the National Blood Centre (NBC), Kuala Lumpur, during the year of 2007 in order to introduce appropriate intervention.Study Designs and Methods:Data on the number of discarded whole blood units and its components, reasons for discard, and the number of blood components processed as well as the number of collected blood units were obtained from the Blood Bank Information System - NBC database. These were analyzed.Results:The total number of blood units collected in 2007 was 171169 from which 390636 units of components were prepared. The total number of discarded whole blood units and its components was 8968 (2.3%). Platelet concentrate recorded the highest of discard at 6% (3909) followed by whole blood at 3.7% (647), fresh frozen plasma (FFP) at 2.5% (2839), and cryoprecipitate at 2% (620). The rate of discarded packed red blood cells RBCs, plasma aphaeresis, and PLT aphaeresis was less than 1% at 0.6% (902), 0.6% (37), and 0.29% (14), respectively. RBC contamination of PLT and plasma were the major cause of discard at 40% (3558). Other causes include leakage (26% - 2306), lipemia (25% - 2208), and underweight (4% - 353).Conclusion:Good donor selection, training and evaluation of the staff, as well as implementation of automation will help to improve processes and output of BTS. This would reduce discard of blood components and wastage caused by non conformance.

Determination of rate and analysis of reasons for discarding blood and blood components in a blood bank of tertiary care hospital:a retrospective study

“…9 In our study Platelet concentrate scored the highest at 8.4 % when compared with the other blood components. Our study results are in correlation with the findings of study by Morish et al and study conducted in 17 blood centers in 10 European countries 5,9 In the same European centers, the mean for packed RBC discard rate was 4.5%, varying annually from 0.2% to 7.7%. 7 In present study the discarded rates of packed RBCs were 3.0 %, which is comparable to European centers study results.…”

“…In study by Morish et al the discarded rates of whole blood and packed red blood cells (RBCs) were 3.7% and 0.6%, respectively. 5 As compare to Morish et al discard rate for whole blood in our study is at lower side i.e. 1.8% and for packed red blood cells it is higher side i.e.…”

“…5 Mishandling of blood bags during collection, processing, and storage or manufacturing errors may be the major causes of defects and leakages of blood bags. 10 The integrity of plastic bags is essential and precautions should be taken to prevent leakages.…”

“…The results of our study are comparable with Deb et al 8 Study done by Morish et al in National blood center, Kuala Lumpur, a total of 390,634 whole blood and blood components units were prepared in 2007 in National Blood Center. 5 Of these 8968 (2.3%) units were discarded, Platelet concentrate scored the highest at 6% when compared with the other blood components. A large-scale study conducted in 17 blood centers in 10 European countries from 2000 to 2002 reported that the mean platelet discard rates for the three years were between 6.7% and 25%.…”

“…5 The aim of this study was by analyzing the data and the reason for the discards, the BTS can develop plans to improve performance through education and training of staff and introducing new measures in order to minimize the number of discarded blood to a reasonable rate.…”