Hospital Blood Bank Research Articles

The mediation effect of blood production on the relationship between master production scheduling and transfusion sustainability in Uganda

Background: This paper examines the relationship between determinants of blood transfusion sustainability (BTS) that is master production scheduling (MPS) and blood production (BP) of Uganda. The study was founded on four objectives. The study looked at the direct relationship between MPS and the BTS, direct relationship between MPS and BP, direct relationship between BP and BTS. It also assessed how BP mediated the direct relationship between MPS and BTS. The study used a quantitative method. Methods: A survey questionnaire was administered to collect data from 367 staff of regional blood banks and government university teaching hospital blood banks; and 213 were found to be usable. The main analysis was done using structural equation modeling. Results: This study found that MPS had a negative and insignificant relationship with the BTS. The study found that relationship between MPS and BP was positive and significant. The study also found that relationship between BP and BTS was positive and significant. The study concluded that the effect of MPS on BTS was fully mediated by BP. It was recommended that blood banks seeking to achieve transfusion sustainability must understand the sector in which they operate. The various stakeholders in the blood supply chain ie blood banks, hospital blood banks, funding agents, ministry of health, must also integrate to enhance the transfusion sustainability. Blood banks performance measures essentially timely delivery was very critical for saving lives of patients in need of blood. Conclusion: The study has provided a new conceptual framework that investigate the BP mediating effect on the relationship of MPS and BTS, and thus can serve as an incentive for more research to be conducted in this regard of different developing countries. The authors also proposed identifying the effect of other BP factors such as blood donor management and hospital transfusion practices on BTS.

The mediation effect of blood production on the relationship between master production scheduling and transfusion sustainability in Uganda

Background: This paper examines the relationship between determinants of blood transfusion sustainability (BTS) that is master production scheduling (MPS) and blood production (BP) of Uganda. The study was founded on four objectives. The study looked at the direct relationship between MPS and the BTS, direct relationship between MPS and BP, direct relationship between BP and BTS. It also assessed how BP mediated the direct relationship between MPS and BTS. The study used a quantitative method. Methods: A survey questionnaire was administered to collect data from 367 staff of regional blood banks and government university teaching hospital blood banks; and 213 were found to be usable. The main analysis was done using structural equation modeling. Results: This study found that MPS had a negative and insignificant relationship with the BTS. The study found that relationship between MPS and BP was positive and significant. The study also found that relationship between BP and BTS was positive and significant. The study concluded that the effect of MPS on BTS was fully mediated by BP. It was recommended that blood banks seeking to achieve transfusion sustainability must understand the sector in which they operate. The various stakeholders in the blood supply chain ie blood banks, hospital blood banks, funding agents, ministry of health, must also integrate to enhance the transfusion sustainability. Blood banks performance measures essentially timely delivery was very critical for saving lives of patients in need of blood. Conclusion: The study has provided a new conceptual framework that investigate the BP mediating effect on the relationship of MPS and BTS, and thus can serve as an incentive for more research to be conducted in this regard of different developing countries. The authors also proposed identifying the effect of other BP factors such as blood donor management and hospital transfusion practices on BTS.

The Rationale for Discarding Blood and Its Components in a Tertiary Care Hospital Blood Bank in North Karnataka.

Background Human blood is an essential human element for which no substitute has yet been discovered. This study aims to determine the causes of discarding blood and its components. Material and methods A retrospective study of three years (January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020) was performed in a tertiary care hospital blood bank. Data were retrieved from the various registers and analysed. Results During this study, a total of 3280 units, 1868 units, and 486 units of whole blood were collected in 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively. It was observed that the discard rate of whole blood was 9.48%, 17.23%, and 43% in 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively. The discard rate for components varied, such as for packed red blood cells (PRBC), it was 1.76% in 2018, 1.73% in 2019, and 3.03% in 2020, for fresh frozen plasma (FFP), it was 4.08% in 2018, 4.36% in 2019, and 2.20% in 2020, and for platelets, it was 43.08% in 2018, 31.56% in 2019, and 45.03% in 2020. A total of 311, 322, and 209 units of whole blood were discarded in 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively. The total whole blood and blood components were discarded for various reasons such as undiagnosed sterility (HIV, hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C virus, Venereal Disease Research Laboratory), quality control, underweight, hemolysis unit, expiry, and polycythemia. Conclusion The wastage of stored blood and its components is inevitable. Still, it can be minimised by optimum utilisation and implementation of blood transfusion services (BTS) along with the education and training of blood bank staff. There are various reasons for the wastage of blood and its components, such as unscreened transfusion-transmitted diseases, sterility, storage, less bleeding, expiry, hemolysis samples and polycythemia. Self-regular audits, coordination between hospital and blood bank staff, proper storage and handling of blood units, strict donor selection and deferral criteria, along with appropriate history taking, will help minimise the wastage of blood or its components.

Quality Control of Fresh Frozen Plasma in Hospital Blood Bank Using pH, Volume, Residual Cells Count, PT, and PTT

Quality Control of Fresh Frozen Plasma in Hospital Blood Bank Using pH, Volume, Residual Cells Count, PT, and PTT

BLOOD COMPONENTS AND ITS USAGE: A CLINICAL INSIGHT FROM DIAGNOSTIC LENS

Blood is a key fluid which circulates inside the body with various significant benefits. One of the most important role of it is respiration, excretion, maintenance of normal acid base balance, nutrition, regulation of water balance, regulation of body temperature, transport of hormones, vitamins, salts and transportation of various essential vitamins required inside the body etc. Blood has various components present which perform various important roles. It has red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, plasma etc. The knowledge of the function of all the blood components helps all the medical professionals to utilize it to the maximum level for the benefit of the patients. If the patient is having low haemoglobin level, we can transfuse packet red blood cells, if the patient is suffering from thrombocytopenia due to various reasons like dengue, gynaecological reasons or any other reasons we can transfuse platelets. And if patients require coagulation factors during various medical procedures we can transfuse plasma or factor IX or factor VIII to obtain immediate relief.The usage of blood and its various components has given a new dimension in the field of medical sciences. Owing to its impact and phenomenal usage in various surgeries, the department of transfusion medicine became an integral section in every hospital. A hospital without a blood bank holds a lesser relevance as compared to the hospital which is fully equipped with all the sophisticated amenities of blood bank. It all started back in 1932 after realizing the usage of blood in various treatment the first blood bank was established in Leningrad hospital. In 1937 Bernard fantus, director of therapeutics at the cook county hospital in Chicago, establishes the first hospital blood bank in the united states. Charles Richard Drew known as father of blood bank is an eminent pioneer in this field, whose work on the banking of blood products and the plans of collecting and distributing blood saved countless lives in the trenches of World War II and the wards of military and civilian hospitals.In India owing to its vast population and maximum requirements of blood. Leela Moolgaonkar, a social reformer, started the movement of voluntary blood donation camps in Mumbai from 1954. The 1960s saw many blood banks open in different cities. Though as per the various sources the first records of the voluntary blood donation started in India at Kolkata in west Bengal during world war-II.

Lyme ELISA seronegative patients with borrelia antibody coated borrelia microbes in their blood

ELISA testing for detection of possible borrelia related antibodies in serum is an “Indirect” and antibody dependent technology because it seeks to identify the host antibody-dependent immune responses (free antibodies in serum) to past borrelia infections. Microscopic visualization of the actual borrelia spirochetes in blood or in tissue biopsies is a “direct” and antibody independent technology which is superior to “indirect” antibody dependent ELISA testing methods because it proves cases in which borrelia infection is ongoing, current, and unambiguous. Herein is a research study from thirty patients with ELISA negative serologies and whose physician-diagnosed symptom complexes were compatible with a status of “at risk for persistent/chronic Seronegative Lyme borreliosis”. Monoclonal antibody confirmed borrelia individual spirochetes and borrelia biofilms in whole blood in the 30 ELISA seronegative patients in the study group of volunteers. All patient smears were subsequently analyzed with a Coombs reagent (rabbit species antiglobulins to human IgG) optimized for diagnostic use in hospital blood banks to detect naturally produced human immunoglobulins in the bloodstream. Duplicate examination of whole blood smears with the two reagents above confirmed a group of Lyme ELISA seronegative patients whose whole blood smears contained antibody coated borrelia spirochetes of the Bbss and BBsl Burgdorferi groups. Spirochete-bound antibodies from whole blood examination identify “solid phase on the bodies of spirochetes “antibody deposits which are absent in dilute serum separated from clotted whole blood. “Antibody cloaked spirochetes in whole blood” represent patient Lyme borreliosis immune responses to infection which are overlooked in current blood serum only ELISA Lyme tests.

What Decides Your Athletic Career?-Reflection from Our Study of GP.Mur-Associated Sports Talents during the COVID-19 Pandemic Era.

This opinion article discusses the factors that attract children and teens to athletic careers. The most important attribute for the making of athletes is polished sports talent, followed by psychological, environmental, and incentive factors. Our laboratory studies a red blood cell (RBC) type called GP.Mur, which is rare in most parts of the world besides Southeast Asia. Intriguingly, the prevalence of the GP.Mur blood type is relatively high among Taiwanese elite athletes. The highest frequency of the GP.Mur blood type worldwide is found among Taiwan’s Ami people (88–95% from hospital blood bank surveys in the 1980s). Though the Ami constitute only 0.6–0.8% of the Taiwanese population, from records of national track-and-field games in the past century, 10–60% of the medalists were Ami. Biologically, GP.Mur expression supports blood CO2 metabolism, which may have implications for athleticism. As many of our study subjects are elite college athletes with the GP.Mur blood type, we contemplated their upbringings and career dilemmas, especially during the difficult COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond individual sports talent, the pandemic particularly tests personal characteristics and socioeconomic support for becoming an athlete.

Reducing the wastage of fresh frozen plasma in a hospital blood bank through the use of Six Sigma principles.

45 Background: MD Anderson Cancer Center is one of the largest users of blood products in the United States, with approximately 3,600 units of blood (PRBCs) transfused per month, and over 500 units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfused per month. The wastage of blood products has both financial and patient care implications, as well as implications to donors. Decreasing blood product wastage is an institutional priority in terms of both resource utilization and cost savings. Methods: Outside metrics for the waste of blood products published by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) were compared to current data on the percentage wastage of blood products for fiscal year 2020. A dedicated project team set an aim to reduce the wastage of FFP by 25% from Q4 2020 to Q3 2021. Using Six Sigma principles, a run chart was developed to track units FFP ordered and transfused from October 2020 – March 2021. Minitab software was used to calculate mean FFP ordered, the upper confidence interval, as well as 2 standard deviations above the mean to determine a new maximum FFP thaw level. Results: The historical FFP “thaw level” was 32 units of FFP thawed per day. From October 2020 – March 2021, the average number of FFP units ordered per day was 8. The upper confidence level was 32, and 2 standard deviations was 24 units. After identifying 3 data points that were “out of control” and unrepresentative of actual usage, these values were adjusted to 7.5 units and 19.5 units, respectively. Based on this data, the daily thaw level was adjusted from 32 units per day to 20 units per day on June 21st 2021. As of Q3 2021, this has resulted in a 40.7% decrease in the wastage of FFP. Conclusions: The application of Six Sigma principles was an effective way to identify variation in the ordering of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and allowed for a sizeable reduction in the daily thaw level of this blood product. Post-intervention, there has been a dramatic decline in the wastage of FFP, resulting in cost savings for our institution and better stewardship of this scare resource.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of platelet crossmatching by the solid-phase red cell adherence assayin adult patients of a tertiary care hospital in Thailand: A retrospective study.

Background and AimsPlatelet transfusion refractoriness is well aware to be associated with poor clinical outcomes. Patients with the alloantibody causing refractoriness required cross‐matched compatible products to improve the platelet number. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and availability of platelet crossmatching provided by the solid‐phase red cell adherence (SPRCA) technique in the context of a tertiary university hospital.MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed of the records of 214 patients with platelet refractoriness in Siriraj Hospital, a tertiary university hospital in Thailand, between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2020.ResultsThe SPRCA technique successfully provided cross‐matched compatible platelets to 114 patients (69.7%). Platelet crossmatching significantly improved the platelet counts, as shown by the increased 1‐ and 24‐h corrected‐count increments (p< 0.0001). No acute transfusion reactions were observed in these patients. Of the 114 patients who received cross‐matched platelets, 82 patients (71.9%) survived at 30‐day posttransfusion; whereas, 16 patients (14.0%) died within 7‐day posttransfusion.ConclusionThe SPRCA method can provide a high availability rate of cross‐matched platelets, which is effective at stopping and preventing clinical bleeding conditions. This method is appropriate to apply for platelet crossmatching in the context of a hospital blood bank.

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus core antibodies among blood donors in Nigeria: Implications for blood safety.

BackgroundAnti-hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) testing improves transfusion safety by detecting past and current hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection while detecting hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in serology-negative HBV infection. However, occult HBV infection (OBI) (serum or liver HBV DNA-positive but HBsAg-negative) remains unaddressed among replacement blood donors – family members or friends who donate to replace blood transfused to a relative.ObjectiveThis study assessed risk factors for a positive anti-HBc test among donors with OBI and determined the anti-HBc-positive status of replacement donors.MethodsThe study was conducted at the University College Hospital Blood Bank, Ibadan, Nigeria, using blood samples collected from blood donors between April 2019 and May 2019. Donors were screened for HBsAg by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and anti-HBc by ELISA, while HBV DNA was detected using a semi-nested polymerase chain reaction.ResultsOf the 274 participants, 15 (5.5%) were HBsAg-positive by RDT and 36 (13.1%) by ELISA, while 133 (48.5%) were anti-HBc positive. Out of 232 HBsAg-negative donors, 107 (46.1%) were anti-HBc positive. Of the 107 HBsAg-negative but anti-HBc-positive samples, only one (0.93%) was HBV DNA-positive. The HBV DNA-positive donor was HBsAg-negative by both RDT and ELISA tests.ConclusionThis study establishes a potential risk for HBV transmission from isolated anti-HBc-positive donors to blood recipients. HBc immunoglobulin (antibody) M testing to identify blood units requiring further screening with polymerase chain reaction to detect OBI can prevent HBV transmission through blood transfusion.

Analysis of Rate and Reasons of Discarding of Blood and its Components in Tertiary Care Hospital Blood Bank

Transfusion of blood and its components is integral part of patient health care management in today’s era. The blood and the blood components have no complete substitute till date. Therefore, every unit of blood and its components are very precious and should be utilized very cautiously. The blood components wastage is an important issue in health care system. The blood components wastage is generally due to poorly managed stock, poor storage, transportation along with local reasons of the respective blood bank. The present study was undertaken to analyze rate and the reasons of the discard of blood and blood components in tertiary care hospital blood bank for the period from January 2017 to December 2021. In the present study, the blood components discard rate was 4.46%. The discard rate of platelets was highest with 35.79%. The discard rate of whole blood, packed cells, Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) was 6.55%, 0.84% and 2.90% respectively. The shortest shelf life was the reason for the platelets discard and attributed to its highest discard rate. The other reasons of discard of blood components were transfusion transmitted infections (TTI), leakage, expiry, low volume etc. The large scale study to be conducted for identification of causes and percentage of blood components wastage and targeted intervention is needed for the effective reduction of blood components wastage.

How we built a hospital-based community whole blood program.

Whole blood (WB) is an attractive product for prehospital treatment of hemorrhagic shock and for initial in-hospital resuscitation of patients likely to require massive transfusion. Neither our regional blood provider nor our hospital blood bank had recent experience collecting or using WB, so we developed a stepwise process to gather experience with WB in clinical practice. When our Transfusion Committee suggested a WB program, we worked with our regional blood provider to collect cold-stored, leukoreduced, low-titer anti-A, and anti-B group O RhD positive WB (low-titer group O WB [LTOWB]) and worked with our city Fire Department to integrate it into prehospital care. This work required planning, development of protocols, writing software for blood bank and electronic medical records, changes in paramedic scope of practice, public information, training of clinicians, and close clinical follow-up. Between June 2019 and December 2021, we received 2269 units of LTOWB and transfused 2220units; 24 (1%) were wasted, two were withdrawn, and 23 were in stock at the end of that time. Most (89%) were transfused to trauma patients. Usage has grown from 48 to 120 units/month, covers all 5 Fire Districts in the county, and represents about ¼ of all hospital trauma blood product use. Developing a WB program is complex but can be started slowly, including both pre-hospital and hospital elements, and expanded as resources and training progress. The investments of time, effort, and funding involved can potentially improve care, save blood bank and nursing effort, and reduce patient charges.

Blood Transfusion Audit in Tertiary Care Hospital Blood Bank

Blood transfusion is lifesaving procedure in critical conditions like road accidents, postpartum hemorrhage etc. hence the rational and appropriate use of blood and blood products is very essential step to save life of many patients with available blood products in any blood bank. The purpose of a transfusion audit is to determine the appropriateness of blood transfusion practices, and provide data for the improvement of blood transfusion services. For the rational use of blood, it is essential to collect information about existing blood transfusion practices. In this study, an attempt was made to analyze and study the pattern of blood utilization among the various medical and surgical specialties of tertiary care hospital. A study was conducted on all the blood requisition forms received at the blood bank of tertiary care hospital during the period January 2017 to December 2021. The records of the blood issued to the patients were studied. Out of total 14028 units cross-matched, 6374 units (45.43%) were issued. Out of total 14028 requests, 5009 were for single unit of which 1480 units (29.54 %) were utilized. The transfusion committee in the hospital should conduct regular audits in order to achieve utmost efficiency and numerous benefits, in terms of workload, cost, errors of transfusion and betterment in patient services. It should develop and amend the policies time to time to abolish inappropriate transfusion practices.

The Pre-Vaccination Donated Blood Is Free from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) but Is Rich with Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies: A Cross-Section Saudi Study.

(1) Backgrounds and Objectives: Since its discovery, information about the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread rapidly. However, many issues remain unresolved. Coronaviruses are primarily transmitted through respiratory secretions. The possibility of transmission via donated blood transfusion deserves studying. This is the first study in Saudi Arabia to look at pre-vaccination donated blood anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody content as a marker for virus transmission via viral RNA positive blood and/or the potential therapeutic value of convalescent plasma. (2) Methods: A total of 300 blood samples were sequentially collected from unvaccinated donors who donated blood to the blood bank of Prince Mutaib Bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia. Specific ELISA was used to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies. SARS-CoV-2 was detected using specific real-time reverse-transcription PCR (rRT-PCR). (3) Results: The prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG was low (9%), whereas the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM was high (65%). Relevant demographics, anthropometrics, and lifestyle factors revealed significant associations (p < 0.05) between IgM-positivity only vs. age (age group 21–30 years), postgraduate education, no history of international travel, IgG-negativity, and absence of experience with COVID-19-like symptoms. Furthermore, there are significant associations (p < 0.05) between IgG-positivity only vs. age (age group 21–30 years), postgraduate education, and being a non-healthcare worker. All donors in the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG-positive group (n = 27) had previously experienced symptoms similar to COVID-19 (p < 0.001) and most of them (n = 24) showed anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM-positive test (p = 0.006). However, all the samples tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA using rRT-PCR. (4) Conclusion: Our findings add to the growing body of evidence that donated blood is safe, with the added benefit of convalescent plasma rich in potentially neutralizing IgG and IgM against SARS-CoV-2.

Profile of Blood Service Response Time

One tangible manifestation of the provision of public services in the health sector is the Blood Transfusion Unit (UTD) which provides blood services. Blood Transfusion Services are health service efforts that include planning, mobilizing and preserving blood donors, supplying blood, distributing blood, and providing medical treatment to patients for the purpose of healing illness and restoring health. The Indonesian Red Cross, hereinafter abbreviated as PMI, is a social organization whose main tasks and functions are in the field of kepalangmerahan based on statutory provisions. Efforts to meet the availability of blood for the needs of health services so far have been made by PMI through UTD spread throughout Indonesia based on assignments by the Government In chapter II article 2 paragraph 1 PMK Number 83 of 2014 concerning blood transfusion units, hospital blood banks, and service networks blood transfusion is stated that: UTD is only held by the Government, Regional Government, or PMI. This research is a type of descriptive quantitative research. The approach used is cross sectional. The average blood service time at PMI Kuningan Regency in 2020 is 1 hour and can be completed in a minimum time of 35 minutes and a maximum of 3 hours 57 minutes. The stages that contribute to the length of blood service time are in the post-analytic stage and factors that influence the service time in the Kuningan Regency PMI laboratory, namely, the number of officers, length of service and facilities.

W262 Proportion of different ABO and Rh phenotypes in voluntary blood donors at Tribhuvan university teaching hospital blood bank

W262 Proportion of different ABO and Rh phenotypes in voluntary blood donors at Tribhuvan university teaching hospital blood bank

Optimization of Blood Bag Distribution Routes Using AMPL Software and Nearest Neighbor Algorithm (Case Study of the Indonesian Red Cross Jakarta)

The process of distributing blood bags by the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) DKI Jakarta uses route selection preferences by ambulance drivers. Basically, this routing problem can impact other aspects such as additional costs, distribution time, fuel use, carbon emissions, and others, so this research needs to propose the best route to minimize travel distance. There are several Hospital Blood Banks (BDRS) in Jakarta that do not receive blood bags at the right time. As an organization authorized to provide blood bag supply, the PMI must distribute blood bag using the 7R concept (Right Time, Right Place, Right Quantity, Right Quality, Right Cost, Right Condition, and Right People). The PMI also has to consider that blood bags are classified as perishable items that need to require fast and precise handling. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the blood distribution by minimizing travel distance. The optimization model used is the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) with AMPL software comparing with the Nearest Neighbor (NN) algorithm. After 4 hours of running the trial, this research has revealed that AMPL software gives the best combination of travel distance than the Nearest Neighbor algorithm, with the differences being approximately 11.52 km.

Blood utilization and quality indicators at a university hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

BackgroundBlood transfusion is a common, essential procedure when treating many different medical and surgical conditions. Efficient utilization of blood bank facilities by frequent auditing is crucial; however, few studies have examined blood utilization in Saudi Arabia. We aimed to review the blood ordering patterns and transfusion practices, and blood bank audit effectiveness at a single center in Saudi Arabia and compare our results with those of a similar study performed in the same center 20 years ago.Materials and methodsThis study was a retrospective descriptive chart review of all healthy blood donors and recipients from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2020. We evaluated the crossmatching-to-transfusion ratio (C/T) as an indicator of blood bank utilization and compared the findings with those of the previous study. We also evaluated changes in blood bank utilization during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.ResultsFindings from 27,414 donors (men, 94.9%; mean age, 32.2 + 9.6 years) showed a 71% increase in blood donations compared to that of 2000. The donations gradually increased over the years, peaking just before COVID-19 pandemic started in March 2020. For 3,836 patients, 13,324 units of blood were crossmatched (average, 3.47 crossmatch/patient), with 23% of the crossmatch requests from surgical departments. The average C/T ratio, transfusion index, and transfusion probability (T%) were 1.37, 2.55, and 73.2%, respectively. The C/T ratio decreased by 54% between 2000 and 2020. During the pandemic, crossmatching decreased by 26% between 2019 and 2020, but with comparable C/T ratio in 2019 (1.45) and 2020 (1.39).ConclusionOur hospital blood bank utilization improved over the past 20 years, showing increased donations, reduced C/T ratio, and increased T%. This improvement emphasizes the importance of blood donation campaigns, blood bank auditing, restrictive transfusion guidelines, and physician education.

Reference Intervals for Thyrotropin Hormone in the General Andean Population of Quito-Ecuador Using Electrochemiluminescence Assay.

Thyroid function is one of the most current procedures in the evaluation of endocrine function performed in daily practice; the reference intervals for thyrotropin (TSH) depend on the assay technology and the instruments in each laboratory. The main objective of this study is to determine the thyrotropin reference values in patients considered as euthyroid, living in the Andean region, at 2850 meters above sea level (Quito, Ecuador). A cross-sectional, analytical, epidemiological study was conducted using a sample of 595 healthy adult volunteer donors from the Military Hospital Blood Bank in Quito-Ecuador. Serum samples were analyzed for thyrotropin levels using electrochemiluminescence. The reference values were calculated using recommendations from the CLSI C28A3 guide. The mean age of the overall sample was 35.7 (7.2) years, 50.9% (n = 303) were women. TSH recovered in the total sample showed a median of 2.64 mIU/L (2.5th-97.5th percentiles: 0.91-8.35 mIU/L); after removing outliers the reference values for the studied population were 0.87 to 5.21 mIU/L, without differences by sex. General laboratory practice should improve harmonization of TSH assays. This is a must in daily clinical practice, since it would allow us to share real reference intervals in an established population and may be related to the presence or absence of thyroid pathology.

Analysis of discard of blood components and strategies for optimal and safe transfusion practices at a tertiary care hospital blood bank

Blood transfusion service is lifeline of health care system. Blood is a valuable resource so it should be utilized judiciously with minimal wastage. Seropositive donors not only construct some threat of Transfusion-transmissible infections (TTI) such as HIV, HBV and HCV in blood recipient, they also increase the discard in blood bank. This study was conducted to determine discard rate of different blood components, identifying different causes of discarding the blood and its components and to hit upon different approaches to optimize the use of blood. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the blood bank of tertiary care hospital from September 2015 to October 2021. All collected Blood units were screened for five infections - HIV, HBV, HCV, Syphilis and Malaria and blood units were discarded as per NACO guideline. During study period a total of 8695 donors were donated the blood and screened for TTIs. From all donations, 201(2.31%) were females donors and 8494(97.69%) were males donors. A total 172 seropositive donors were identified among 8695 donors with an overall seroprevalence of 1.98%.