BLOOD BANKING TECHNIQUES
PREPARED BY MR. ABHIJIT DAS
Blood Bank
A blood
bank is a facility where blood is collected, tested, stored, and distributed
for use in medical treatments and emergencies.
Donor Selection Criteria
To ensure safe blood donation for both donor
and recipient.
Basic Eligibility:
- Age:
18–65
years
- Weight:
≥ 50 kg
- Hemoglobin:
≥ 12.5 g/dL
- Pulse & BP:
Normal
- Should
be healthy,
no fever/infection
- No alcohol in last 24 hours
- No
recent tattoos,
surgeries,
or vaccinations
- No
high-risk behavior (HIV/HBV
risk)
Blood Collection
Pre-Requisites
Before collecting blood, ensure:
- Informed consent
is taken
- Medical history
is checked
- Donor
is well-rested
& hydrated
- Use
sterile
equipment
- Ensure
proper blood bag
(with anticoagulant)
Procedure of Venipuncture
Steps for safely collecting blood from vein:
Ø Make
donor lie down
or sit comfortably.
Ø Select
the vein (usually median
cubital vein).
Ø Clean the site using
spirit.
Ø Insert
sterile needle
into the vein.
Ø Collect
350–450 mL
of blood into the blood bag.
Ø Monitor
the donor during & after collection.
Ø Apply
pressure + bandage
post removal of needle.
Anticoagulants Used in Blood Bags
To prevent clotting of collected blood.
Common Anticoagulants:
|
Name |
Full Form |
Purpose |
|
CPDA-1 |
Citrate Phosphate
Dextrose Adenine |
Preserves
blood up to 35 days |
|
ACD |
Acid
Citrate Dextrose |
Shorter
shelf-life |
|
CPD |
Citrate Phosphate
Dextrose |
Preserves
for ~21 days |
Citrate:
- Binds
calcium → prevents clotting.
Blood Components
When whole blood is separated into its parts, we get blood
components. This allows one
unit of blood to help multiple patients.
Main Components:
- Red
Blood Cells (RBCs)
– Carry oxygen
– Given to patients with anaemia or blood loss - Platelets
– Help in clotting
– Used in bleeding disorders like dengue, leukemia - Plasma
– Yellowish liquid part, contains proteins, clotting factors
– Given in liver disease, burns, clotting disorders - Cryoprecipitate
– Rich in clotting factors (like Factor VIII, fibrinogen)
– Used in hemophilia, DIC, etc.
Advantages of Using Components:
- One
donor helps many
patients
- Specific
component given based on patient’s need
- Reduces
risk of volume
overload
Preparation:
- Whole
blood collected → separated using centrifuge
- First spin:
separates RBCs
- Second spin:
separates plasma
& platelets
Storage:
|
Component |
Temp |
Shelf Life |
|
RBCs |
2–6°C |
35–42
days |
|
Platelets |
20–24°C
(shaking) |
5–7
days |
|
Plasma |
-18°C
or below |
1
year or more |
|
Cryoprecipitate |
-18°C
or below |
1
year |
Uses in Patients:
|
Component |
Common Use Cases |
|
RBCs |
Anaemia,
surgery, trauma |
|
Platelets |
Dengue,
leukemia, chemotherapy, low platelets |
|
Plasma |
Liver
disease, clotting factor deficiencies |
NOTE:
1.
When getting a tattoo, if unsterile
needles or contaminated ink are used, it can lead to infections
like:
- Hepatitis
B
- Hepatitis
C
- HIV
These viruses can stay silent in the blood and
harm the recipient if transfused
2.
HBV – Hepatitis B Virus
3.
Location
for Blood Collection: median
cubital vein Located in
front of the elbow, in the middle between the biceps and forearm.
4. DIC: DIC is a serious condition where blood
starts to clot abnormally inside blood vessels, and at the same time,
the body starts bleeding in other places.