Evaluation of two temperature storage conditions for full blood count samples from Lifeblood's donors.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lifeblood completes full blood count samples for selected donors to assess their suitability for future donations. Removing the current practice for refrigerated (2-8°C) storage and aligning with room temperature (20-24°C) storage of other donor blood samples would produce significant efficiencies in blood donor centres. This study aimed to compare full blood count results under two temperature conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paired full blood count samples were collected from 250 whole blood or plasma donors. These were stored either refrigerated or room temperature for testing on arrival at the processing centre and the following day. The primary outcomes of interest included differences between mean cell volume, haematocrit, platelet count, white cell and differential counts, and the need to produce blood films, based on existing Lifeblood criteria. RESULTS: A statistically significant (p < 0.05) difference for most full blood count parameters results was found between the two temperature conditions. The number of blood films required was similar under each temperature condition. CONCLUSION: The clinical significance of the small numerical differences in results is considered minimal. Furthermore, the number of blood films required remained similar under either temperature condition. Given the significant reductions in time, processing and costs associated with room temperature over refrigerated processing, we recommend a further pilot study to monitor the broader impacts, with the intent to implement national storage of full blood count samples at room temperature within Lifeblood.

The use of historical platelet counts from blood donors to program apheresis platelet donation: An Australian perspective.

BACKGROUND: For Australian apheresis platelet donations, in-centre haematology analysers provided the platelet count used to program the platelet collection machines. When the haematology analysers were not functional, historical platelet counts from previous donations were used. This study aimed to confirm that the routine use of historical platelet counts for programming apheresis collection machines would maintain platelet yields within the donated units and that haematology analysers could be removed. STUDY DESIGN: A staggered implementation for the routine use of mean historical platelet counts to program apheresis platelet collection machines was conducted. The donors' full blood counts following donation were tested centrally for comparison to the historical mean. The component yields when using on-the-day platelet counts to program platelet collection were compared with those collected using historical platelet counts. For historical platelet counts to be deemed successful, the target was for 90% of the mean historical donor platelet counts to have less than 20% variance from the on-the-day platelet count. RESULTS: Over 96% of the mean historical platelet counts were within 20% variance of the platelet count on the day of donation. The component yield (platelet count x109 cell/unit) before analyser removal was 273.3 ±â€¯32.0 (n = 2639) and post-removal was 282.8 ±â€¯38.8 (n = 2689). CONCLUSION: The removal of haematology analysers from donor centres and replacement with mean historical platelet counts was successful in maintaining platelet yields. Replacement of the haematology analysers with historical platelet counts simplified regulatory compliance, reduced staff workload and costs associated with analyser registration.