What happens to donated blood before it becomes a transfusion component? This visual Blood Bank review follows the pathway from donor eligibility and collection through component manufacturing, testing, storage, quality control, and final release.
Watch the complete review on YouTube
What this review covers
- Whole-blood and apheresis collection
- Manufacturing of red cells, platelets, plasma, cryoprecipitate, and granulocytes
- Transfusion-transmitted infection testing, labeling, quarantine, and release
- Common U.S. storage conditions and dating concepts
- Special processing and selected quality-control checks
From donation to components
The process begins with donor identification and consent, health-history and deferral review, physical assessment, and collection. Whole blood may remain a transfusion product or be separated into cellular and plasma components. Apheresis collects selected components and returns the remaining elements to the donor.
Component manufacturing uses controlled centrifugation and expression steps. Platelet-rich-plasma and buffy-coat methods can produce platelet components, while thawing plasma under controlled conditions allows recovery of cryoprecipitate. Each pathway requires traceability and documentation.
Testing, labeling, and release
Products remain in quarantine until required donor testing and manufacturing review are complete. Labels must identify the component, collection and expiration information, storage conditions, donation identification, blood group when applicable, and required processing attributes. Platelet bacterial-risk controls must also follow the approved strategy for the product.
Storage and dating: selected study values
- Red blood cells: generally 1–6°C. Dating depends on the anticoagulant-preservative or additive solution; commonly 21, 35, or 42 days.
- Conventional platelets: generally 20–24°C with gentle continuous agitation; typically 5 days, with up to 7 days under approved systems.
- Granulocytes: 20–24°C, transfused as soon as possible, with a 24-hour expiration.
- Frozen plasma: commonly stored at or below −18°C for 12 months. After thawing, product labeling determines the applicable dating period.
- Cryoprecipitate: commonly stored frozen at or below −18°C for 12 months. After thawing, use within 6 hours in a closed system; after pooling or entry into an open system, use within 4 hours or 6 hours from thaw, whichever occurs first.
Special processing: know the distinction
Leukoreduction reduces leukocyte-associated complications such as febrile reactions, HLA alloimmunization, and the risk of leukocyte-associated CMV transmission. Irradiation is used to prevent transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD). Leukoreduction does not prevent TA-GVHD and does not replace irradiation when irradiation is clinically indicated.
Washing reduces residual plasma proteins, while pathogen-reduction technologies are product-specific and must be used according to the applicable labeling and procedures.
References and study basis
- ASCP Quick Compendium of Clinical Pathology, 2nd edition (2024), Blood Bank and Transfusion Medicine review material.
- 21 CFR 630.10 — Donor eligibility requirements.
- 21 CFR 610.53 — Dating periods.
- Circular of Information for the Use of Human Blood and Blood Components, June 2024; FDA-recognized September 2024.
- U.S. FDA guidance on cold-stored platelets for active bleeding, June 2023.
- 21 CFR 640.25 and 21 CFR 606.122.
Educational use only. Storage limits, processing requirements, and dating may vary by product labeling, approved systems, and institutional procedures. In practice, follow current labeling and local policies.
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