King Edward Memorial Hospital - Departments: Blood Bank

Blood Bank.

Optimal Blood Testing, Preservation and Utilisation of Blood

These are the other major functions of the Blood Bank and include the following :

Providing properly grouped and crossmatched blood
All blood units are processed for cell and serum grouping by an automated computerised microwell blood grouping system. Serum grouping confirms findings of cell grouping and also detects rare atypical antibodies. Confirmatory testing (Du test) is done on all units which test as Rh negative to rule out weak or partial Rh groups.
Detection of transfusion transmitted infections - HIV, Hepatitis B, Syphilis and Malaria
Each and every blood unit collected is tested. Detection of anti-HIV-1 & -2 and Hepatitis is done by sensitive ELISA kits using automated washers and computerised ELISA readers.
Providing specially processed blood for patients requiring repeated transfusions
Saline washed packed red cells are prepared after special extensive crossmatching tests to detect atypical red cell antibodies which can occur in these patients. These units have a shelf-life of only 24 hours.
Ensuring optimal utilisation of blood by preparing blood components
Almost all the blood collected is separated into the various blood components as depicted in the process flow chart below. The Blood Bank has sophisticated equipments viz. Special, large, refrigerated programmable centrifuges and plasma expressors as well as experienced staff for the separation of these components in the closed-system sterile PVC blood bags.
Proper preservation of blood
All blood units are preserved at 2-6 degrees centigrade, in a well-designed walk-in cooler (Cold Room) equipped with a continuous temperature monitor and alarm facility. Plasma and Cryo-precipitate are preserved in large freezers maintaining temperature below -30° C, while platelet concentrates are kept on a special rotator for continuous slow agitation which is essential for their proper functioning.
Prompt and appropriate disposal of unsafe blood
All units of blood suspected to harbour infectious agents or be sub-optimal for any reason are carefully autoclaved at the Blood Bank and destroyed by incineration at the Municipal incinerator.
Promptly provide blood, round the clock
The Blood Bank crossmatches and issues blood continuously, all the twenty-four hours, thus making it available during all the emergency hours.