Blood Transfusion

Question 1

What is the shelf life of red cell, platelets and plasma

If red blood cells removed from storage before what time can they be returned

How long is permitted between removal from storage and transfusion for rbc

Answer 1

Red cells
- stored at 40C +/- 20
- shelf life 35 days
- if removed from controlled storage for more than
30 minutes, must either be transfused or discarded
- must be transfused within 4 hours of leaving controlled
storage

Platelets

• stored at 220C with continual agitation
• shelf life 5 days
• transfuse within 1 hour

Fresh Frozen Plasma

• stored at -300C for up to 2 years
• thawed prior to transfusion - transfuse within 4 hours