Core temperature changes in resuspended red blood cells (RBCs) and pediatric RBCs removed from refrigerated storage.
BACKGROUND
The 30-minute rule, whereby intact red blood cell (RBC) products may be returned to stock if returned to 4 degrees C storage within 30 minutes of issue, was established many years ago. It was based on observations that the core temperature of units of whole blood removed from storage temperatures of 1 to 6 degrees C, and left at room temperature, would reach 10 degrees C at between 45 minutes and 1 hour.


METHODS
Forty-one units of RBCs resuspended leukoreduced and 8 units of pediatric RBCs resuspended leukoreduced were exposed to ambient temperature for periods of time between 0 and 60 minutes. Core temperatures of all units were measured at 1-minute or 5-minute intervals.


RESULTS
Resuspended RBCs units reached a mean core temperature of 10 degrees C at 15 minutes, 12.7 degrees C at 30 minutes, and 15 degrees C at 60 minutes. Pediatric RBCs reached a mean core temperature of 12.8 degrees C at 15 minutes, 15.5 degrees C at 30 minutes, and 17.8 degrees C at 60 minutes.


CONCLUSIONS
In view of our results, and the range of RBC products now available, it may be timely for blood services to review and reduce the 30-minute rule.
Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.
Holly Elizabeth
HE
Perry
Priyanka
P
Prasad
Susy
S
Kirwan
Yuan Qing
YQ
Huang
D001771:Blood Banks / Q000592:standards; D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D002648:Child; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D047589:Leukocyte Reduction Procedures; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014186:Transportation; D000094902:Blood Banking / Q000379:methods*