Quality Control & Blood Products

What does the term quality control mean?

Ensures produced results meet quality standards based on the procedure we follow

What is an example of QC?

Testing using manufactures reagents and getting the expected values

What does quality assurance mean?

Systematic activities that ensure products meet quality standards

What is an example of QA?

Doing temperature checks, maintenance of instruments

What does the term policy mean?

Guidelines that help with consistent decisions

What is an example of policy?

All blood units must be tested for HIV

What does the term process mean?

Series of steps or actions taken to achieve a result/goal

What is an example of process?

What to do if O neg blood is out and woman of child-bearing age needs blood

What does the term procedure mean?

Step-by-step instructions to complete a particular task

What is an example of a procedure?

Following the SOP, manufactorer’s insert

What does the term systematic error?

Deviation that will affect all samples by the same amount

What is an example of a systematic error?

Expired reagents

What does the term random error?

Unpredictable error that cannot be replicated

What is an example of a random error?

Bubble in the pipette

What is pathogen inactivated plasma and platelets?

It helps envelope viruses and induces apoptosis

What product does bacterial contamination affect the most?

Platelets because they are stored at RT for 7 days

What is used to reduce bacterial contamination?

Chlorohexidine

What is an allogenic transfusion?

Receiving blood from someone unrelated to you

What is an autologous transfusion?

Donating blood to save for yourself in the future

When is an autologous transfusion done?

If the phenotype is extremely rare

What is a directed transfusion?

When parent donates to their minor child

Why are directed transfusions not done anymore?

Mother can develop anti-HLA to child’s HLA during pregnancy causing transfusion reactions

What is an intra/post operative blood salvage?

When blood is lost during surgery gets recollected and transfused back into the patient

Why would an intra/post operative blood salvage be done?

If the patient has a very rare phenotype

What is a designated transfusion?

Donating to one person when they need it

When are red blood cells transfused?

When Hb < 70g/L or if cardiac related/symptomatic

When are washed red blood cells transfused?

Patients that are IgA deficient and are making anti-IgA

What are washed red blood cells?

Red blood cells that have plasma, platelets, and other additives removed

What are frozen/thawed red blood cells?

Cells that have been frozen for phenotype rare patients (Bombay)

How long do frozen/thawed red blood cells last?

Stored for 10 years

What are irradiated red blood cells?

Donor cells that have been treated to destroy T lymphocytic nuclear material

Why are irradiated red blood cells used?

To avoid graft vs host disease

When are platelets transfused?

Patient has decreased or dysfunctional platelet due to bone marrow failure

When is plasma transfused?

To treat or prevent significant bleeding due to TPP, warfarin, or procedures

When is albumin given?

Cirrhosis or burn patients to maintain osmotic pressure

Why is RhIg given?

Prevent alloimmunization of RhD antigen in pregnant RhD neg mothers

Why is IvIg given?

Pooled IgG antibody for immunodeficient patients

Why is HepB Ig given?

Short term protection against hepatitis B exposure and has to be given within 48 hrs

When are factor concentrates used?

Platelet factor deficient patients such as hemophiliac