Comprehensive Overview of Blood Bank Operations: Exploring Blood Collection, Testing, Storage, and Transfusion Processes, Blood Group Compatibility, and Safety Protocols Essential for Effective Blood Management in Healthcare Settings

Introduction of Blood Banking: Principles, Practices, and the Essential Role of Blood Banks in Healthcare, Focusing on Blood Collection, Processing, Storage, Testing, and Distribution to Ensure Safe and Reliable Blood Transfusion Services for Patient Care.

1. Introduction of Blood Bank Ankur Vashishtha Assistant Professor Department of MLT Sharda School of Allied Health sciences Sharda University

2. What is Blood Bank? A blood bank is a place where blood collected from donors is stored, tested, and prepared for use in medical treatments. It ensures a safe supply of blood and blood products, like plasma and platelets, for patients who need transfusions due to surgeries, injuries, or illnesses. Blood banks play a crucial role in healthcare by making sure blood is available when it's needed to save lives.

3. Blood banking includes tasks related to: Collecting Blood - Gathering blood from donors through safe and hygienic procedures. Testing - Screening blood for diseases to ensure it is safe for transfusion. Typing and Matching - Determining blood type (e.g., A, B, AB, O) and Rh factor (positive or negative) to ensure compatibility with recipients. Processing and Separating - Dividing whole blood into components like red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Storing Blood - Keeping blood and its components at proper temperatures to maintain quality until needed. Distribution - Supplying hospitals and clinics with blood for patients in surgeries, trauma care, and other treatments. Record-Keeping - Maintaining detailed records of donors, testing, storage, and distribution to ensure traceability and quality control.

4. 1901 - Blood Types Discovered Dr. Karl Landsteiner discovered the main blood groups (A, B, AB, O), making it possible to match donors and recipients accurately, reducing risks of transfusion reactions.

5. 1914 - First Blood Anticoagulants: Scientists found that adding certain chemicals like sodium citrate to blood could prevent clotting, making it easier to store blood for a short time. In 1914, Belgian surgeon Albert Hustin and Luis Agote in Argentina separately found that sodium citrate could prevent blood from clotting.

6. 1930s - Blood Banks in Hospitals The first official blood bank was established in 1937 in Chicago by Dr. Bernard Fantus , where blood could be collected, tested, and stored, leading to similar practices in other hospitals.

7. 1940s - Blood Collection Programs The Red Cross and other organizations began organized blood donation drives during World War II to support troops, creating large supplies of blood and promoting the idea of voluntary blood donation.

8. 1950s-1960s - Advances in Storage and Testing With better refrigeration and new testing techniques , blood could be stored longer and tested more thoroughly, improving blood safety.

9. Types of Blood Group Each blood type can also be Rh-positive or Rh-negative, depending on the presence of the Rh protein. This creates eight blood types in total: A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+, and O-.

10. ABO Blood Group System The basis of ABO grouping is of two antigen – Antigen A and Antigen B. The ABO grouping system is classified into four types based on the presence or absence of antigens on the RBC surface and plasma antibodies. Group A - Contain Antigen A and antibody B Group B - Contain antigen B and antibody A. Group AB- Contain both A and B and no antibodies (neither A nor B). Group O - Contains neither A nor B antigen and antibodies A and B.

11. Blood Group Compatibility Type A : People with Type A can receive blood from Type A and Type O. Type B : People with Type B can receive blood from Type B and Type O. Type AB : Known as the universal recipient, people with Type AB can receive blood from any group (A, B, AB, O). Type O: Known as the universal donor, Type O blood can be given to anyone but can only receive blood from Type O.

12. Functions of Blood Banking Blood donor selection Donor pre counselling Donor blood collection Donor post counselling Blood tests Blood Storage Blood Transfusion

13. Blood donor selection

14. Blood Donor Selection Age : Donors should be between 18 and 60 years old (some blood banks accept donors up to 65, depending on health).

15. Weight : Donors should weigh at least 50 kg (110 lbs ) to ensure they are healthy enough for blood donation.

16. Health Status : Donors should be in good health with no active infections or medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or cancer.

17. Blood Pressure : Donors must have normal blood pressure, not too high or too low, to ensure a safe donation.

18. Hemoglobin Level : The donor’s hemoglobin should be at a healthy level to prevent anemia after donation.

19. Donation Interval : Donors can give blood once every 3-4 months for whole blood and more frequently for specific blood components like plasma.

20. Medical History : Donors are asked about their medical history, lifestyle, and any high-risk behavior to ensure the safety of the donated blood.

21. Donor pre counselling

22. Pre-Counseling Explaining the Process : Informing the donor about each step of the donation process, from registration to post-donation care. Assessing Health and Eligibility : Asking questions about the donor’s health, medical history, and lifestyle to ensure they are eligible to donate. Discussing Risks and Benefits : Explaining any minor risks (like dizziness) and benefits of donating blood, and addressing any questions or concerns. Ensuring Informed Consent : Making sure the donor fully understands and agrees to donate.

23. Donor blood collection

24. Donor Blood Collection Preparing the Donor : The donor sits comfortably, and the collection area is cleaned with an antiseptic to prevent infection.

25. Inserting the Needle : A sterile needle is gently inserted into a vein in the donor’s arm to start the blood collection.

26. Collecting Blood : Blood flows through the needle into a sterile collection bag. The amount collected is usually around one pint (about 350 ml or 450 ml), which is safe for healthy adults.

27. Anticoagulant The main anticoagulant used in blood bags is CPDA-1 , which stands for Citrate Phosphate Dextrose Adenine . This anticoagulant helps preserve the blood and prevent clotting. Citrate : Binds to calcium in the blood to prevent clotting. Phosphate : Helps maintain the pH of the blood and supports cell metabolism. Dextrose : Provides energy to the red blood cells, keeping them healthy. Adenine : Helps red blood cells maintain ATP (energy), extending their shelf life. With CPDA-1, stored blood can last up to 35 days at 1-6°C , making it suitable for blood banks and transfusions.

28. CPDA-1 For blood bags with CPDA-1 anticoagulant , the amount used varies by bag size: 350 ml blood bag : Contains approximately 49 ml of CPDA-1 anticoagulant. 450 ml blood bag : Contains approximately 63 ml of CPDA-1 anticoagulant.

29. Monitoring the Donor : Staff carefully monitor the donor throughout the process to ensure they feel comfortable and safe.

30. Sealing and Labeling : Once the required amount is collected, the needle is removed, and the blood bag is sealed and labeled for identification.

31. Post-Donation Care : The donor is given fluids and snacks to help them recover and is advised to rest briefly before leaving.

32. Donor post counselling

33. Post-Counseling Providing Care Tips : Donors are advised to rest briefly, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid heavy exercise for the rest of the day. Checking for Side Effects : Staff check if the donor feels dizzy, weak, or has any discomfort, and assist as needed. Thanking the Donor: Donors are appreciated for their valuable contribution, helping them feel valued and encouraged to donate again in the future. Providing Contact Information : Donors are given contact details in case they have questions or concerns later.

34. Blood tests

35. Blood Tests in a Blood Bank Blood Typing : Determines the blood type (A, B, AB, or O) and Rh factor (positive or negative) to match donors and recipients. Infectious Disease Screening : Checks for viruses like HIV, Hepatitis B and C , and Syphilis to ensure blood is free from infections. Hemoglobin Level Check : Ensures that the donor has a healthy hemoglobin level , which indicates sufficient red blood cells. Crossmatching (if needed) : For specific patients, a small amount of donor blood is mixed with recipient blood to ensure compatibility.

36. Blood Storage

37. Red Blood Cells Storage Stored in refrigerators at 1-6°C . Can be kept for up to 42 days . Used to treat anemia or blood loss.

38. Plasma Storage Stored in freezers at -18°C or lower . Can last up to one year . Used to treat clotting disorders and severe burns.

39. Platelets Storage Stored at 20-24°C in special machines that gently agitate them. Remain usable for 5-7 days . Important for patients with low platelet counts, such as those undergoing chemotherapy.

40. Cryopreserved Blood Cells Some blood can be frozen at -65°C for long-term storage. Used in special cases and can last for years.

41. Whole Blood Storage Stored at 1-6°C for up to 35 days . Used when both red blood cells and plasma are needed.

42. Blood Transfusion