Pre-transfusion testing refers to the laboratory tests required to ensure compatibility between a patient’s blood and a transfusion of donated blood. This process includes patient identification, sample collection and labeling, and laboratory testing to determine the patient’s blood type and to screen for unexpected antibodies.
In addition, compatibility of the donor and recipient’s blood must be determined by crossmatch. The pre-transfusion testing process is completed when a compatible blood product has been identified for transfusion to the patient.
For pre-transfusion tube testing, a cell washing system can improve operational efficiencies compared to manual methods. The cell washer dispenses and decants the saline required for washing processes, saving time and effort by automating the hands-on steps associated with using a centrifuge.
For automatic cell washing, it is important to think about what matters in the design of the device. What is it about the unit that helps facilities meet regulatory requirements? Are there any other considerations that should be taken into account when selecting an automatic cell washer?
For this reason, we have developed a Best Practices Guide for Selecting Automatic Cell Washing Systems. The guide outlines regulatory standards that define the characteristics of cell washers and provides additional considerations for best practices. It clarifies how the design of a cell washing system can help blood centers and hospitals comply with standards and facilitate best practices in an easy-to-use checklist format.
Not only are automatic cell washers from Helmer Scientific designed to support facilities’ efforts to follow standards, they have also been recognized by the AABB Standards-Compliant Products Program. This program provides assurance that products for the blood community are in compliance with standards. Products that achieve AABB’s Standards-Compliant Product recognition have been thoroughly reviewed by AABB and have been confirmed as adhering to the AABB Standards that relate to equipment, process control, and document control.
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Helmer Scientific supports blood centers and hospitals, the patients they serve, and their efforts to keep the blood supply safe. We would like to express our gratitude to all staff involved in collecting, processing, and transfusing blood therapies to treat patients and save lives. We are here to help you properly store and monitor your blood products.
To learn more about what to consider when selecting a cell washer, review our Best Practices Guide for Automatic Cell Washing Systems.
