By Shariq Ansari depending on the capabilities of the facility. stored and preserved for later use in blood transfusion. gathered as a result of blood donation. DEFINITION: A blood bank is a cache or bank of blood or blood components. . The term "Blood bank" typically refers to a division of a hospital laboratory where the storage of blood product occurs and where proper testing is performed to reduce the risk of transfusion related events. This includes compatibility testing for transfusion and may include blood donation processing. it is not just a bank to collect & issue blood. accessibility and efficient supply of blood & its products in a safe. or any of the operations for collection. storage. cost effective and coordinated manner. . unit or institution for carrying out all. to the patients as and when the need arises during the course of treatment. In recent years blood transfusion services have become an integral part of the health care system. processing & distribution of blood components. The planning & management of any blood bank depends on number of functions it is required to serve and the number of units of demand of blood & blood products.INTRODUCTION Today. it prepares and supplies individual blood component. The primary objective planning for a blood bank is to ensure adequacy. apheresis. A Blood Bank today is a place or organization or unit or institution or other arrangements made by such organization. FUNCTIONS OF BLOOD BANK The following are the functions of blood bank in modern medicine: Selection of donors (i.) to determine the suitability Ļ Blood collection Ļ Screening of blood for various blood borne diseases Ļ Component preparation Ļ Storage of blood & blood products Ļ Record keeping of the above Ļ Training of medical & paramedical staff Ļ Research.e. . 6. 1. 2. 4. 8. Locations and Surroundings Space Requirements Functional & Operational Aspects Staffing of Blood Bank List of Equipment in the Blood Bank Waste Disposal Record Keeping Good Manufacturing Practices / SOPS . 7.PLANNING DETAILS Following are the part of planning program of a blood bank and transfusion centre. 3. 5. In this case 4-5 days of old blood is generally frozen. All parameters of blood cells is maintained for a year. . it allows building a long term inventory of rare blood groups.FROZEN BLOOD Frozen blood is the newest concept in blood banking. Frozen RBC has a shelf life of one year. It is needed in a tertiary level hospital because. Frozen cells can also be effectively stocked for military mobilization or for any civil disaster. BLOOD BANKS IN INDIA ARE REGULATED BY DRUG CONTROL ACT BLOOD IS CONSIDERED HERE AS DRUG . Both private and public cord blood banks have developed since the mid. .CORD BLOOD BANK A cord blood bank is a facility which stores umbilical cord blood for future use.to late-1990s in response to the potential for cord blood transplants in treating diseases of the blood and immune systems. Researchers are exploring the use of cord blood stem cells in the following regenerative medicine applications. The first clinically documented use of cord blood stem cells was in the successful treatment of a six-year-old boy afflicted by Fanconi anemia in 1988. Type 1 Diabetes. particularly in children. cord blood has become increasingly recognized as a source of stem cells that can be used in stem cell therapy. Recent studies have shown that cord blood has unique advantages over traditional bone marrow transplantation. Cardiovascular.BENEFITS OF BANKING CORD BLOOD Cord blood stem cells are currently used in the treatment of several lifethreatening diseases. and play an important role in the treatment of blood and immune system related genetic diseases. Central Nervous System. a. cancers. and blood disorders. . b. and can be life-saving in rare cases where a suitable bone-marrow donor cannot be found. c. Since then. The quality requirements involve : Quality control and proficiency testing Internal and external audits Personnel and organization Premises. equipment and materials Documentation Blood processing Complaints and component recall Investigation of errors and accidents .QUALITY ASSURANCE IN THE BLOOD BANK . 5.QUALITY CONTROL INCLUDES 1. 6. 4. QUALITY ASSURANCE IN COLLECTION OF BLOOD QUALITY CONTROL IN BLOOD GROUP SEROLOGY INTERNAL QUALITY CONTROL EXTERNAL QUALITY ASSURANCE QUALITY CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE TEST QUALITY CONTROL IN TRANSFUSION PRACTICE . 3. 2. Biologic Event Explosive Device Chemical Event Radiation DISASTER PLANNING FOR THE TRANSFUSION SERVICES Major Fires Building Collapse Blizzards . . whether disasters be internal or external. The intent of this requirement is that facilities have policies. alternative options for transportation of blood samples and personnel. and staffing alternatives. alternative site location. to respond to the effects of disasters. Some examples of management planning include maintaining multiple alternate providers for critical services and supplies. processes. and procedures that address both employee safety and that ensure the facility͛s ability to provide clinical care during times of extreme need.DISASTER PLANNING FOR THE TRANSFUSION SERVICES The blood bank or transfusion service shall have emergency operation plans. Reagents. and Storage Termination of Disaster Response . etc.) Patient Identification Degree of Testing Issuing. Transportation (pneumatic Tube). Equipment.DISASTER PLAN TRANSFUSION SERVICES Initiation of Disaster Response Clarity of Communication Definition of Responsibilities Personnel. Blood Procurement (Blood Substitutes when they are available.