Platelet Componet Storage
Platelet components must be stored at 20-24°C under continuous agitation. Their shelf-life is five days from the date of collection.
Platelet products, as a biological and with room temperature storage conditions, carry an increased risk of bacterial contamination because of their storage at room temperature. Transportation time should not exceed 24 hours.
Additional information on storage may be found in section D.7 of the Circular of Information for the Use of Human Blood and Blood Components.
Time Limitations
Health Care Facilities should have operating procedures in place that clearly define acceptable timeframes:
- for platelets to be in transit within the facility
- from the time platelets are released from the transfusion service until transfusion is complete
Specifications for Platelet Component Storage Devices
Platelet agitators and incubators for platelet component storage are required. If the agitator is not contained in a platelet incubator, the ambient temperature must be recorded manually every four hours as long as platelet components are stored, to ensure that a storage temperature of 20-24°C is maintained.
The laboratory must have written procedures that contain directions for actions to take in the event of a power failure or malfunction.
Examples of manufacturers of platelet agitators and incubators
When there is no Platelet Component Storage Agitator/Incubator in the Hospital Transfusion Service
Many small laboratories do not have a platelet agitator and/or incubator but occasionally must order platelets for transfusion. In these cases, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that addresses this type of situation should be written. In the SOP, the following items should be included:
- The policy should state that platelets are not stored on site but, when needed for transfusion purposes, are issued immediately upon receipt from the blood supplier
- The communication mechanism with nursing to ensure that the component is used as soon as possible after receipt
- The policy and procedure should include steps to determine if the platelets have not agitated for more than 24 hours while in transit. If more than 24 hours have passed, the platelets should not be used for transfusion (or the medical director responsible for the transfusion service must authorize the issue of such platelets after determining the clinical need with the patient's physician)
- Record the ambient temperature manually when the product is received and every four hours until issue
- Documentation of the receipt and issue times as well as the authorization (who and when), if authorization was necessary
- Include visual inspection criteria for platelet components. When components are rarely used in a facility, it is important to provide criteria for technologists to use when handling the units.