Do Blood Banks End Up Having To Discard Donated Blood Because It Is Too Old To Use?

Yes, blood banks do have to discard donated blood due to its age, which can significantly impact the availability of blood for transfusions. The shelf life of donated blood is limited by the risk of bacterial contamination, the breakdown of blood components, and the potential for the blood to become less effective in transfusions. Blood banks must carefully manage the storage and testing of donated blood to ensure its safety and efficacy for patients. The shelf life of donated blood varies depending on the type of blood and the storage conditions. Red blood cells, for example, can be stored for up to 42 days, while platelets typically have a shelf life of just five to seven days. Plasma, which is used to make clotting factors and immunoglobulins, can be stored for up to one year. However, even with proper storage and testing, blood banks still have to discard a significant amount of donated blood due to its age. The primary reason for discarding donated blood is the risk of bacterial contamination. Blood banks use strict testing protocols to detect bacterial contamination, but even with these measures, some blood may still be contaminated. The risk of bacterial contamination increases with the age of the blood, so blood banks typically discard blood that is older than its recommended shelf life to minimize this risk. Another reason for discarding donated blood is the breakdown of blood components. Over time, the components of donated blood can break down, which can affect its ability to be used in transfusions. For example, the red blood cells in donated blood can become less flexible and less effective at carrying oxygen, which can lead to complications during transfusions. Blood banks must carefully monitor the condition of donated blood to ensure it remains safe and effective for patients. Finally, blood banks may discard donated blood if it is no longer suitable for transfusions due to changes in the patient population or advances in medical technology. For example, if a patient requires a specific type of blood that is not available in the blood bank's inventory, the blood bank may discard older blood to make room for newer donations that are more compatible with the patient's needs. In summary, blood banks do have to discard donated blood due to its age, which can significantly impact the availability of blood for transfusions. The shelf life of donated blood varies depending on the type of blood and storage conditions, but blood banks must carefully manage the storage and testing of donated blood to ensure its safety and efficacy for patients.