title: Temperature-Sensitive Indicators for Monitoring RBC Concentrates Out of Controlled Temperature Storage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The 30-minute rule for RBC concentrates out of controlled temperature storage does not take into account multiple parameters that influence warming of RBC concentrates. This study evaluated two temperature-sensitive indicators (TIs) for monitoring RBC concentrates during transport.
  
  
  METHODS
  TI labels (Check-Spot [Harald H. Temmel KG, Gleisdorf, Austria] and Thermoindikator V4 [BASF, Basel, Switzerland]) were attached to RBC concentrates prior to delivery. Duration of transport, ambient temperatures, and label results (valid vs expired) were recorded. We evaluated the proportion of labels discrepant to the 30-minute rule overall and among deliveries 30 minutes or less and more than 30 minutes and compared the rates of valid and expired readings between both TIs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 201 RBC concentrate deliveries (86.6%) lasted 30 minutes or less, and 31 (13.4%) were more than 30 minutes. Forty-six (19.8%) Check-Spot and 37 (15.9%) Thermoindikator V4 results were discrepant to the 30-minute rule. Sixteen (51.6%) and 27 (87.1%) RBC concentrate deliveries more than 30 minutes displayed valid label readings with Check-Spot and Thermoindikator V4, respectively. Rates of expired labels among deliveries 30 minutes or less and valid labels among deliveries more than 30 minutes differed significantly between TIs (P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TIs identified a considerable number of RBC concentrates whose temperatures may not be adequately reflected by the 30-minute rule. Variability of readings between TIs stresses the necessity of validation prior to implementation.
authors.affiliation: From the Blood Transfusion Center beider Basel, Swiss Red Cross, Basel, Switzerland; Blood Transfusion Center Aargau-Solothurn, Swiss Red Cross, Aarau, Switzerland; and joerg.sigle@blutspende-aarau.ch.
authors.forename: Joerg P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Sigle
authors.affiliation: From the Blood Transfusion Center beider Basel, Swiss Red Cross, Basel, Switzerland;
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holbro
authors.affiliation: Hematology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.affiliation: From the Blood Transfusion Center beider Basel, Swiss Red Cross, Basel, Switzerland;
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Infanti
authors.affiliation: Hematology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gerull
authors.affiliation: Hematology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.affiliation: Hematology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tichelli
authors.affiliation: Hematology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Passweg
authors.affiliation: From the Blood Transfusion Center beider Basel, Swiss Red Cross, Basel, Switzerland;
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buser
mesh_terms: D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004912:Erythrocytes; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007202:Indicators and Reagents
keywords: 30-minute rule; RBC concentrates; Temperature-sensitive indicators