The transportation of blood products requires correct temperatures for preservation and transfusion.

1. Blood Transport
Ann waters @ qed scientific/References: Andrew Mallaband fibs

2. Transporting Blood Around Hospital Departments
In these days of wireless temperature
monitoring and data logging it is sometimes
the simple things which are overlooked.
Moving Blood for transfusion from it’s
storage Blood Bank Refrigerator to the
patient can present problems in today’s
Town sized Hospital site.

3. Red cells and whole blood Cells
Red cells and whole blood must always be stored at a
temperature between +2°C and +6°C.
Refrigeration of blood is paramount and must
never be allowed to freeze.
The upper limit of 6°C is essential to minimize
the growth of any bacterial contamination in
the unit of blood. The lower limit of 2°C is
essential because red cells that are allowed to
freeze become haemolysed.
If they are transfused, the presence of cell
membrane fragments and free haemoglobin
can cause fatal bleeding problems or renal
failure.

4. Anticoagulants are Added to Blood
The most common anticoagulants used in haematology are:
Anticoagulant Properties
▪ EDTA and sodium citrate prevent
coagulation by removing
calcium which is one of the
essential factors in coagulation
from the blood by precipitation.
▪ Heparin acts by forming compiler
with plasma anti-thrombin,
which inhibits thrombin and
other stages of clotting factor
activation.
▪
▪ EDTA: Ethylene Diamine
Tetraacetic acid
▪ Sodium citrate
▪ Heparin
▪

5. Transporting Blood Effectively
Whole blood and red cells should be issued
from the blood bank in a blood transport box
or insulated carrier that will keep the
temperature under 10°C, If the ambient
(room) temperature is greater than 25°C or
there is a possibility that the blood will not be
transfused within 30 minutes.
Unless required for immediate transfusion,
the packs should be stored in the ward or
operating theatre blood refrigerator at a
temperature between 2°C and 6°C.

6. Transfusion of Blood after Transportation
Red cells and whole blood that have
been out of the correct storage
conditions for more than 30 minutes
should never be returned to the
blood bank refrigerator for later use
because of the potential for
bacterial contamination and the loss
of cell function.
Red cells and whole blood should be
infused within 30 minutes of removal
from refrigeration.

7. Andrew Mallaband FIBMS – Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer. R.I.P
QED Scientific is a well-established UK based company supplying
an extensive range of medical equipment as well as equipment
for pharmaceutical quality control and general laboratories.
One of our specialities is in patient warming care. We design and
build fluid and blanket warming cabinets in any size and capacity
including combined units offering a cost-effective and space-
saving solution to patient warming in operating theatres.
As well as our bespoke service – we also supply actively heated
patient warming systems catering for patients of all ages from
premature babies to adults. The MedWarm system is a complete
solution to warming patients in the perioperative setting, pre-,
during and post-surgery in recovery/PACU, as well as portable
transport warming. The full range consists of scientifically
developed neonate swaddling blankets, warming blankets, and
mattresses.
We also cater for blood transfusion departments supplying a
comprehensive range of the latest technologically advanced
EverMed blood bank refrigerators, platelet incubators and
agitators, and plasma freezers. Reagent and pharmacy
refrigerators help to complete this medical range.
QED Scientific is accredited to ISO9001:2008