As of 1 June 2022, the Paarl Blood Bank will keep stock of random donor (pooled) platelet products that previously required transfer from other Blood Banks. Based on current patient needs, one random donor platelet unit will be available throughout the week. This amount will be continuously monitored and adjusted according to usage trends. Single donor (apheresis) platelets will be stock-transferred to Paarl Blood Bank on demand.
Platelet products can be returned to the Blood Bank provided they are received back within 6 hours from the time of issue and the temperature of the product is between 20 ˚C to 24 ˚C.
It is particularly challenging to maintain sufficient stock of platelet products at zero wastage due to the short shelf-life (5 days) of this product and the high production costs. Platelet products should please be ordered judiciously to avoid wastage and unnecessary expense to the hospital.
The list of platelet products and specifications are as follows:
- Pooled random donor platelet
- Platelet count ≥2.4 x 1011/unit
- Volume >40 ml per unit in the pool
- pH >6.4 at 20 ˚C to 24 ˚C
- Single donor platelet
- Platelet count ≥2.4 x 1011/unit
- Leucocyte count ≤5 x 106/unit
- Volume ≥ 200ml
- pH >6.4 at 20 ˚C to 24 ˚C
- Leucocyte depleted pooled random donor platelet
- Platelet count ≥2.4 x 1011/unit
- Leucocyte count ≤5 x 106/unit
- Volume ≥ 200ml
- Paediatric single donor platelet
- Platelet count 1.0 to 2.3 x 1011/l
- Volume 100ml to 200ml
- Infant single donor platelet
- Platelet count 0.5 to 0.9 x 1011/l
- Volume 40ml to 60ml
Click here to view or download the clinical indications for platelet transfusions.
For more information, contact Shaun Swart, Manager – Paarl Blood Bank (Shaun.Swart@wcbs.org.za).
