Ordering Components From Blood Centers of the Pacific

Stock Orders

It is the goal of Blood Centers of the Pacific to maintain a minimum inventory of red blood cells equivalent to a 5-day supply. Relative to the distance from the blood center and the type of patients each hospital should maintain a 2 1/2 to 5 day red blood cell supply.

The following guidelines are used by BCP for time frames to ship regular orders. Stated time is from the order time to when the shipment leaves the center.

• STAT: Not more than 1 hour from the time an order is taken to the time it is shipped.
• ASAP: Not more than 2 hours from the time an order is taken to the time it is shipped.
• Stock (standing orders/routines): Order is shipped as workload and product availability permit, but not later than 8 hours from the time the order is taken.

Whenever possible, BCP requests the use of shorter dated units first, and the timely release of untransfused, crossmatched blood for other patient use or return to the blood center.

When placing an order, indicate type(s) of blood component(s), quantity and time frame for delivery.

Special Orders

Special Orders are for components that require special handling, testing, or components not available in stock at BCP. Not all blood centers may provide the complete list of options.

Pediatric Components
Units requested for pediatric use may be aliquoted by BCP or supplied with a satellite bag (or bags) attached to the primary unit for aliquoting at the Transfusion Facility.

Washed
Red Cells or Platelets requested as washed have a reduced outdate (24 hours and 4 hours respectively).

Irradiated
Cellular components can be requested as irradiated. Directed Donor units from blood relatives require irradiation.

Directed Donor / Autologous
These reserved units must be ordered to be drawn prior to transfusion need by the patient’s attending physician. (See Special Collections.)

Antigen Negative
Red cell units can be supplied as confirmed or unconfirmed depending on transfusion facility request and blood center policy. Rare units may be available as liquid or frozen, but may need to be imported from another center. If frozen, BCP will deglycerolize the unit prior to delivery; this shortens the shelf life of the units to 24 hours.

CMV Seronegative
Cellular components can be requested as CMV seronegative.

HGB S Nefative
Red cell components can be requested as Hgb S negative.

Granulocytes
Collected only after discussion with the BCP Medical Director.

Whole Blood
Available at special request.

Special platelet considerations:

Reduced Volume
Platelet pheresis components can be prepared to remove plasma volume. This process shortens the shelf life to 4 hours from the time the process starts, and allows only a very short time for administration at the Transfusion Facility.

Emergency Release Process

A discussion with Hospital Services and/or the Blood Centers of the Pacific Medical Director may facilitate the process for delivery of these special units.

Units that are not yet completely tested require release following the Blood Centers of the Pacific Emergency Release Process. Whole blood and blood components may be issued only when such issue is essential to allow time for transportation to ensure arrival of the blood by the time it is needed for transfusion. Contact the Special Donations department for the proper documentation for Emergency Release.

Certain components that cannot be completely tested may also be released upon approval by the attending physician (and our receipt of a signed Emergency Releasae Document available from your blood center representative). Rare, unlicensed frozen units fall into this category.

Process for Issuing Unlicensed Components

Certain components are only available as unlicensed by FDA. The requesting physician must supply a medical need statement for delivery of these products.