A blood bank is a medical facility that stores various blood components for medical treatments. Donated blood must be protected during its storage process to guarantee its availability for immediate medical procedures when required. A blood bank ensures this safety by keeping donated blood cold-stored until needed for use in treatment procedures.
Blood banks play an essential role, providing lifesaving transfusions for surgical, trauma, or chronic illnesses such as Thalassemia or Hemophilia patients. An efficient blood bank ensures medical professionals have access to sufficient supplies of blood necessary for these individuals' recovery and survival.
Blood Type Matching: The blood bank performs compatibility testing to match the patient’s blood type with the donated blood.
Collection and Transfusion: Once the match is found, the blood is transported to the hospital for transfusion.
At Sundas Foundation, the blood donation process is streamlined, ensuring that patients in need of blood transfusions for conditions like Hemophilia and Thalassemia receive timely and free treatment.
Blood banks play an essential role, providing lifesaving transfusions for surgical, trauma, or chronic illnesses such as Thalassemia or Hemophilia patients. An efficient blood bank ensures medical professionals have access to sufficient supplies of blood necessary for these individuals' recovery and survival.
How Long Can Blood Be Stored in a Blood Bank?
Blood is a precious resource, and understanding how long it can be stored is essential for both donors and recipients. The shelf life of blood depends on its components:- Whole Blood: Can be stored for up to 35-42 days, depending on the anticoagulant used.
- Red Blood Cells: These can be stored for up to 42 days.
- Platelets: Must be used within 5-7 days.
- Plasma: Can be frozen and stored for up to a year.
How to Get Blood from a Blood Bank?
When individuals need blood, whether for a surgery, trauma, or a chronic condition like Thalassemia, they can get it from a blood bank. The process involves several key steps to ensure the patient receives the right blood:- Doctor’s Prescription: A healthcare provider evaluates the patient’s needs and prescribes blood.
Blood Type Matching: The blood bank performs compatibility testing to match the patient’s blood type with the donated blood.
- Request from Blood Bank: The hospital or clinic places a request for the required blood type from the blood bank.
Collection and Transfusion: Once the match is found, the blood is transported to the hospital for transfusion.
At Sundas Foundation, the blood donation process is streamlined, ensuring that patients in need of blood transfusions for conditions like Hemophilia and Thalassemia receive timely and free treatment.
Storage of Blood in a Blood Bank
Blood banks play an essential role in storing blood and its components for safe usage over extended periods. Here is how components of blood are typically stored:- Red Blood Cells: should be stored in refrigerated units to maintain temperatures between 1-6 °C for optimal conditions of storage.
- Plasma: For best results, store plasma in deep freezers below -18 °C to preserve its clotting factors and proteins.
- Platelets: Kept at room temperature with gentle but constant agitation to avoid clumping and maintain functionality.
