Quality control for deglycerolized red blood cells

A quality-control procedure to detect inadequately deglycerolized red blood cells is feasible, although the cost-effectiveness of routinely employing such a test needs to be considered by each individual blood bank. When the standard deglycerolizing protocol is meticulously followed by experienced personnel, the chances of an error that would result in inadequate deglycerolization are remote. The administration of cells with excess residual glycerol can result only in intravascular lysis of the infused cells. However, if a blood bank feels the need for a quality-control test for deglycerolized red blood cells, resuspending cells in 0.7% NaCl and estimating the per cent hemolysis using a color comparator is a simple and effective test.