Name of the Procedure:

Frozen Blood, Each Unit; Freezing (Includes Preparation) and Thawing

Summary

Frozen blood unit preparation involves two major steps: freezing the blood for preservation and thawing it when needed for transfusion. This process preserves blood for extended periods, ensuring availability for future use.

Purpose

Frozen blood storage addresses the need for long-term blood preservation, especially rare blood types. Its goal is to have a ready and viable supply of blood for transfusions, particularly in emergencies or for patients with specific blood type requirements.

Indications

• Need for long-term storage of rare blood types.
• Emergency situations requiring immediate access to specific blood types.
• Pre-operative blood storage for patients with anticipated transfusion needs.
• Situations where blood supply is limited.

Preparation

• No specific preparation is required from the patient.
• Blood donor eligibility screening and blood typing are conducted beforehand.
• Labs may perform compatibility testing for recipients needing transfusion.

Procedure Description

1. Freezing:
   • Collected blood is mixed with cryoprotective agents to prevent cell damage during freezing.
   • Blood is placed in a specialized freezer at temperatures below -80°C (-112°F).
   • The unit is labeled and recorded for tracking and future use.
2. Thawing:
   • Blood is carefully thawed using a controlled method to ensure cellular integrity.
   • The thawed unit undergoes a quality check before being transfused into the patient.
   • Tools: Cryoprotective agents, specialized freezers, and thawing equipment.
   • Sedation: Not applicable as the procedure does not involve direct interaction with the patient.

Duration

The entire freezing and thawing process takes several hours, but each step is distinctly timed:

• Freezing: A few hours.
• Thawing: Approximately 30-60 minutes.

Setting

This procedure is performed in hospital laboratories or blood banks equipped with specialized freezing and thawing technology.

Personnel

• Medical Laboratory Technologist
• Blood Bank Specialist

Risks and Complications

• Cellular damage if freezing/thawing is not properly controlled.
• Risk of contamination if sterility is compromised.
• Adverse reactions in recipients if blood is not properly matched.

Benefits

• Allows long-term storage of vital blood supplies.
• Ensures the availability of rare blood types for future use.
• Provides a stable supply of blood for emergencies.

Recovery

• No post-procedure care is required for blood donors.
• Patients receiving thawed blood may need monitoring to ensure no adverse reactions post-transfusion.

Alternatives

• Fresh blood transfusion—less storage time but immediate availability.
  • Pros: Immediate use, no freezing-thawing required.
  • Cons: Limited shelf life, higher risk of shortages.

Patient Experience

Donors may experience mild discomfort during blood collection. Patients receiving thawed blood might feel the same as any standard transfusion, with potential mild discomfort at the infusion site. Pain management includes standard measures such as local anesthetics for infusion-related discomfort.