Faculty Collaboration Database

Red cell storage age policy for patients with sickle cell disease: A survey of transfusion service directors in the United States. Transfus Apher Sci 2016 Feb;54(1):158-62

Date

01/18/2016

Pubmed ID

26775259

DOI

10.1016/j.transci.2015.12.001

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84953439509 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   3 Citations

Abstract

In patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), the effects of the red cell storage lesion are not well defined. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of transfusion services that limit red cell units by storage age for patients with SCD. We developed a 22 question survey of transfusion service director opinions and their corresponding blood bank policies. Target subjects were systematically identified on the AABB website. Responses were recorded in SurveyMonkey and summarized using standard statistical techniques. Ninety transfusion service directors responded to the survey. Response rate was 22%. Only 23% of respondents had storage age policies in place for patients with SCD, even though 36% of respondents consider older units to be potentially harmful in this patient population. Of those with a policy, a less-than 15 day storage age requirement was most often used (75%), but practices varied, and most respondents (65%) agreed that evidence-based guidelines regarding storage age are needed for patients with SCD. Policies, practices and opinions about the risks of older units for patients with SCD vary. As patients with SCD may have unique susceptibilities to features of the red cell storage lesion, prospective studies in this population are needed to determine best practice.

Author List

Karafin MS, Singavi AK, Irani MS, Puca KE, Baumann Kreuziger L, Simpson P, Field JJ

Authors

Lisa M. Baumann Kreuziger MD Associate Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Joshua J. Field MD Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Pippa M. Simpson PhD Adjunct Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Anemia, Sickle Cell
Blood Banks
Blood Preservation
Blood Transfusion
Demography
Erythrocytes
Hospitals
Humans
Surveys and Questionnaires
Time Factors
United States