Plasma is transfused to treat patients for a number of medical reasons, including burns, shock, trauma, and other injuries and illnesses. After plasma is collected and processed, it must be stored at frozen temperatures to preserve clotting factors and optimize shelf life. AABB Standards specify plasma components should be stored at -18°C or colder. When stored within this temperature range, the expiration date is 12 months from collection.
Plasma, like other blood products, is currently in short supply. According to the AABB Blood Products Availability page, type O plasma is readily available, but supplies of B, AB, and A plasma are falling short of need. Demand is increasing and requires more than two weeks to address. Because plasma is a scarce resource, proper storage to safeguard this life-saving product is essential.
For storage of frozen plasma, it is important to think about what matters in the design of the freezer. What is it about the unit that helps facilities meet regulations for storing frozen plasma products? Are there any other considerations that should be taken into account when selecting a plasma freezer?
For this reason, we have developed a Best Practices Guide for Selecting Plasma Freezers. The guide outlines the specific AABB Standards that define the characteristics of a plasma freezer and provides additional considerations for best practices. It clarifies how the design of a plasma freezer can help blood centers and hospitals comply with guidance and facilitate best practices in an easy-to-use checklist format.
Not only are plasma freezers 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 help you properly store and monitor your blood products.
To learn more about freezers designed for plasma storage, review our Best Practices Guide for Selecting Plasma Freezers.
