AABB has long required that plasma be stored at a temperature of -18ºC or colder. Like all blood storage devices, plasma freezers must have the capacity and design to ensure that the proper temperature is maintained. In addition, the temperature must be monitored continuously...
Read more »The Release of 115 Volt -30ºC Freezers Helps Facilities Meet AABB Standards for Plasma Storage
January is National Blood Donor Month
The month of January was designated National Blood Donor Month in 1970. It is the time of year when blood centers face the biggest challenges in recruiting people to visit their local collection sites and donate. During the winter months donors’ schedules may be busier than...
Read more »Improving ER Access to Emergency Blood
“The Golden Hour” in Emergency Medicine is the one hour period following traumatic injury. During this period medical intervention can improve the chance of patient survival. For patients suffering from massive hemorrhage during this period, rapid blood transfusions can save...
Read more »Mitigating Challenges to Blood Safety
Clinical Lab Products magazine has published an article entitled “Building a Safer Blood Supply.” It discusses the ongoing challenges to maintaining an adequate and safe blood supply. The article provides insights from AABB as well as representatives from hospitals, blood...
Read more »Infographic: Laboratory Scientist Personnel Shortage
With 4-5 billion laboratory tests ordered annually in the United States, the role of Laboratory Scientists has become even more critical in the delivery of patient care. It is estimated that 70% of the decisions physicians make when treating patients are directly influenced by a...
Read more »AABB Releases Guidance for Red Blood Cell Transfusion Thresholds and Storage
AABB has released new evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the transfusion of red blood cells. The new guidelines were published in The Journal of the American Medical Association. Previous guidelines had been put into place in 2012. Since then, several large scale...
Read more »Helmer Scientific Expands Voltages for High-Performance Auto-Defrost Freezer Line
Helmer Scientific, a leading supplier of cold storage and processing equipment, has announced that their -30ºC Laboratory and Plasma Freezer line is now available in a 115 volt electrical configuration. The new configuration is in addition to the existing 208/230 volt...
Read more »Zipline Launches Drone Delivery of Blood Products in Rwanda
Photo Credit: Zipline
Zipline, a US robotics and drone technology, has implemented the world’s first drone delivery service for life-saving blood products in Rwanda. The Ministry of Health of Rwanda and the National Center for Blood Transfusion (NCBT) pursued options to improve...
Read more »Helmer Scientific to Exhibit at 2016 AABB Annual Meeting
At Helmer Scientific, we are looking forward to our 37th consecutive year of exhibiting at the AABB Annual Meeting. This year’s meeting takes place in Orlando, Florida, October 22 – 25, 2016. Helmer Scientific will be located at Booth #1237.
Read more »Update on Zika Virus and Blood Safety
Zika virus continues to impact blood collection establishments and their efforts to keep the blood supply safe. Active transmission is occurring in the Americas, Oceania/Pacific Islands, Africa, and Asia. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released...
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