National Blood Donor Month: Ensuring the Proper Storage of Blood Products

Introduction to Blood Storage

January often brings us a flurry of resolutions and exciting plans for a new year. But January also marks National Blood Donor Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of blood donors and highlight the important role of blood storage. The proper storage of blood and blood products is vital. Blood is a precious and limited resource. Every drop counts.

Why Proper Blood Storage Matters

Blood and blood products, such as red blood cells, plasma, and platelets, are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Improper storage can make these products ineffective or unsafe for transfusion, leading to potentially life-threatening situations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), maintaining strict temperature controls is essential to prevent bacterial growth, hemolysis, and other degradative processes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also emphasizes that blood storage refrigerators and blood freezers should adhere to strict regulatory standards to minimize waste and ensure availability during emergencies. These guidelines are particularly relevant during National Blood Donor Month when donations often increase, requiring additional storage space and careful management.

Key Guidelines for Blood Storage

Temperature Requirements:¹

• Red blood cells should be stored at 2°C to 6°C
• Platelets require an environment of 20°C to 24°C with constant gentle agitation (Think of them as the VIPs of blood storage—always needing special attention.)
• Plasma should be frozen at -20°C or colder²

Monitoring Systems: Temperature monitoring devices with alarm systems help to keep your storage equipment compliant with temperature regulations. Automatic data recording and remote alerts are recommended for quick action in case of temperature deviations.

Regulatory Compliance: Adhere to guidelines from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), AABB Standards, and WHO recommendations to ensure the highest levels of safety and blood protection.

Regular Maintenance: Periodically calibrate and service blood refrigeration equipment to prevent unexpected failures.

Common Storage Challenges (and How to Beat Them)

Temperature Fluctuations: Blood products are sensitive—they need the temperature to be just right. A fluctuation of even a few degrees can compromise their integrity. This makes a reliable blood bank refrigerator essential. Combining a reliable temperature monitoring device with an FDA-certified blood storage refrigerator ensures consistent temperature control and effectively addresses fluctuation issues.

Inventory Mix-Ups: Nobody wants to go digging through a disarray of blood bags or vials trying to find the proper sample. Proper labeling and organization are crucial.

Equipment Failures: Equipment breaking down at 3 a.m.? Classic nightmare. But fear not— Corepoint’s blood bank refrigerators are built for durability and feature advanced monitoring systems with integrated alarms to help prevent damage and waste.

Why our Blood Bank Refrigerators are the MVPs

Not all blood refrigerators are created equal. At Corepoint® we are committed to supporting laboratories, blood banks, and healthcare facilities in their mission to preserve the integrity of blood products. Our advanced blood bank refrigerators and blood freezers are designed to meet and exceed regulatory standards, including:

• Precise Temperature Control: Our equipment delivers stable and uniform temperatures through microprocessor temperature control.

• Effective Monitoring: Integrated digital alarms provide real-time tracking and alerts, empowering you to act swiftly when needed. (Because nobody likes surprises when it comes to blood storage.)
• Energy Efficiency: Designed with sustainability in mind, our blood storage units are both cost-saving and environmentally friendly. Save the planet while saving lives—it’s a win-win.

Partner with us for Reliable Blood Banking Solutions

Your role in managing blood storage is critical to patient care and public health. By partnering with Corepoint® Scientific you gain access to future-focused solutions that align with trusted national standards. This National Blood Donor Month, let’s work together to honor the contributions of donors and provide the highest quality of care through the proper storage of blood.

Now go save some lives—every donation truly makes a difference!

Want to keep those donations safe and sound? Visit us at corepointscientific.com/product_market/blood-bank/ or give us a call at 1-843-821-8010 (Option 3).

Looking for more cold storage for your lab? Our full catalog offers a broad range of medical grade refrigerator solutions and advanced scientific refrigeration. We’re here to support you on your journey!