The Analysis of Discarded Blood Components in 1998 and Plan

Lee, Young Jin; Cho, Ji Hyun

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Donating Blood is a noble service and an act of love on part of the donor. However, some blood components are discarded for various reasons. This results not only in blood loss but also in labor loss. The present study analyzed the causes of discarded blood components and set out to find a way to minimize such losses.
METHODS
The discarded blood units, sites and reasons were analysed by recording sheets which were written by clinical staffs. We examined blood culture, temperature, potassium, LD and its isoenzyme from discarded 27 units (400 mL 18 units, 320 mL 9 units) of RBC at room temperature. We also examined skin cultures of 100 healthy volunteers after skin preparation at collection site. RESLUTS: The total discarded bloods were 613 units and composed of RBC 426 units (69.5%), FFP 124 units (20.2%) and PC 63 units (10.3%) in 1998. The mean temperature of discarded bloods left at room temperature were 4.6 degrees C at 0 minute, 11.0 degrees C at 30 minutes, 15.6 degrees C at 60 minutes, 20.3 degrees C at 120 minutes, and 22.7 degrees C at 180 minutes. The mean level of potassium were 6.40 mEq/L at 0 minute, 6.71 mEq/L at 30 minutes, and 7.08 mEq/L at 180 minutes. The mean level of LD were 868 U/L at 0 minute, 928 U/L at 30 minutes, and 1,005 U/L at 180 minutes. The all LD isoenzyme patterns were step laddering pattern. The blood and skin cultures showed no growth of organisms.
CONCLUSION
We examined 27 units of blood at room temperature and could not find any significantly abnormal results except for blood temperature. We believe the "30 minute rule" refund time of red blood cell components should be reconsidered. The appropriate ordering of blood, modifying the refund time, and education will contribute to minimizing discarded blood.