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Assessing the influence of component processing and donor characteristics on quality of red cell concentrates using
A Jordan1,2, D Chen3,4, Q-L Yi5
1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Insights
Analyzing quality control data revealed that red cell concentrate (RCC) quality is affected by processing methods and donor characteristics, such as sex. This understanding helps improve blood product safety.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Blood Product Quality Control
Background:
- Quality control (QC) data are crucial for monitoring blood production and regulatory compliance.
- Analysis of QC data can identify sources of variability in red cell concentrates (RCCs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze Canadian Blood Services QC data to identify factors influencing RCC quality.
- To investigate the impact of processing methods and donor characteristics on RCC product attributes.
Main Methods:
- Merged QC data with manufacturing and donor records for 28,227 RCCs (June 2011-October 2014).
- Categorized RCCs by processing method, bag manufacturer, donor age, and sex.
- Assessed product characteristics: haemolysis, haemoglobin, volume, leucocyte count, and haematocrit.
Main Results:
- Buffy-coat processing resulted in lower haemolysis compared to whole-blood filtration.
- Female donors' RCCs showed lower haemolysis than male donors'.
- Processing method significantly impacted unit volume and additive solution ratio.
Conclusions:
- Prestorage processing and donor factors demonstrably influence stored red blood cell characteristics.
- Understanding these relationships is key to enhancing the safety of transfused blood products.
Background And Objectives:
Quality control (QC) data collected by blood services are used to monitor production and to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. We demonstrate how analysis of quality control data can be used to highlight the sources of variability within red cell concentrates (RCCs).
Materials And Methods:
We merged Canadian Blood Services QC data with manufacturing and donor records for 28 227 RCC between June 2011 and October 2014. Units were categorized based on processing method, bag manufacturer, donor age and donor sex, then assessed based on product characteristics: haemolysis and haemoglobin levels, unit volume, leucocyte count and haematocrit.
Results:
Buffy-coat method (top/bottom)-processed units exhibited lower haemolysis than units processed using the whole-blood filtration method (top/top). Units from female donors exhibited lower haemolysis than male donations. Processing method influenced unit volume and the ratio of additive solution to residual plasma.
Conclusions:
Stored red blood cell characteristics are influenced by prestorage processing and donor factors. Understanding the relationship between processing, donors and RCC quality will help blood services to ensure the safety of transfused products.
