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Blood being packed by white gloves for emergency courier transportation.
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Blood Bank, Courier Services

Why Lights and Sirens Courier Use is Beneficial to Blood Banks

As you know, when it comes to the transportation of blood products, speed and reliability are essential. When an emergency occurs, rapid response to blood product delivery is critical. Transportation choices in this case, can be life or death. Blood banks are an important part of this process, as they are responsible for storing and distributing blood products to healthcare facilities. Getting blood products from the blood bank to the hospital is a time-sensitive process that benefits greatly from the use of lights and sirens couriers.

What is a lights and sirens courier?

Lights and sirens couriers provide rapid response transportation for blood products, organs, and other medical specimens. The use of lights and sirens ensures speed and efficiency with a focus on maintaining the integrity of the products during transport. Not anyone can have an outfitted vehicle with lights and sirens, and that’s where Medi-Ops comes in. Our ground transportation vehicles have the ability and authority to utilize lights and sirens as approved by our protocols. Since we operate 24/7, 365 days a year, both scheduled and emergent calls are accommodated. Our vehicles have a priority on ensuring that blood products are transported in the appropriate conditions, meaning acute awareness of temperature and time sensitivity.

Why is this service important for blood banks?

Blood banks are responsible for collecting, testing, and distributing blood products to hospitals and other healthcare facilities. In emergencies, there is often a critical need for blood products to be delivered quickly to save a life. In these situations, time is of the essence, and every minute counts. Severe consequences can come from the mishandling of these products, as blood products have a limited shelf life, and their effectiveness can be compromised if they are not stored and transported in the appropriate conditions. 

Blood banks can therefore utilize transportation services providing lights and sirens couriers to ensure the safest transport of the products. After all, blood banks hold high levels of responsibility for the maintenance and integrity of these products, and transportation of them should be no minor consideration for how to best serve hospitals and healthcare facilities.

What are the benefits of a partnership between blood banks and lights and sirens couriers?

Response Time: As stated before, in emergency situations, every minute counts. Utilizing a lights and sirens vehicle means blood products can be delivered quickly and efficiently to their destination. Medi-Ops’ 24/7 availability and on-demand delivery services mean that blood products can be transported at any time, ensuring that they reach their destination for both product and facility needs.

Temperature-Controlled Transportation: Blood products require specific storage and transportation conditions to maintain their efficacy. Ensuring blood products are transported at the appropriate temperature during transport is high on the priority list and will be maintained throughout a lights and sirens transport.

Reduced Risk of Contamination: Blood products can be compromised if they are not stored and transported in the appropriate conditions. By using a specialized medical courier service like Medi-Ops, blood banks can reduce the risk of contamination and ensure that the products are delivered in the best possible condition.

Increased Efficiency: By outsourcing their courier services, blood banks can focus on their core operations, such as blood collection and testing. This can increase efficiency and productivity, enabling blood banks to provide better service to their clients.

Peace of Mind: Knowing that blood products are being transported by an experienced medical transportation service can provide peace of mind to blood banks and healthcare facilities. The company’s focus on maintaining the integrity of the products during transport can provide reassurance that the products will arrive in the best possible condition.

To sum up…

The transportation of blood products is a critical aspect of the healthcare industry. In emergencies, the speed and reliability of the courier service can make incredible differences in healthcare quality and the ability of facilities to save lives. With transportation services like Medi-Ops that can courier products using lights and sirens transportation, blood products can be moved across locations quickly and efficiently.

Blood banks can ensure that their products are transported at the appropriate temperature and with the utmost care when utilizing lights and sirens transportation through Medi-Ops. This can reduce the risk of contamination and ensure that the products are delivered in the best possible condition, among countless other benefits. Peace of mind about the reliability of a medical transportation provider is incredibly important. With Medi-Ops, we can guarantee our efficiency, and care in these kinds of situations is not taken lightly, which is why we have been able to work with blood banks in order to provide the highest levels of care within medical transportation.

Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Blood Bank

What is the US Blood Supply Chain?

If you’ve ever donated blood before, maybe you are aware of the steps in the blood supply chain. The truth is, a lot goes into the process of getting blood from donor to transfusion patient. From an individual donating blood to testing and processing procedures, to transportation and transfusion logistics, there are many factors and steps in the blood supply chain within the United States. Blood is in high demand, as one in seven people entering a hospital end up requiring blood. This high need for blood, combined with the fact that only six to seven percent of people are universal donors (meaning they have type o negative blood), creates the necessity for an efficient and productive supply chain process.

Donating Blood

There is no substitute for human blood, and donors are incredibly generous in helping those whose lives depend on blood transfusions. After a donor makes the decision to donate, they need to be screened to ensure that eligibility requirements are met. In order to ensure the safety of the donor and the receiving patient, meeting these requirements is imperative and dependent on the donation type. Once a donor is screened for eligibility, they are ready to donate. This process varies depending on the type of donation. Whole blood, plasma, and platelet donations are all options for donors as long as they are eligible, with whole blood donations being the most common.

Preparing Blood

The donated blood is sent to blood centers and laboratories to conduct processing and testing. Donated blood needs to be processed to separate the blood into transfusable components such as red cells, platelets, and plasma. These components and further processed and packaged as units. Several tests are performed within processing to confirm blood type and test for any abnormalities or infectious diseases. 

After passing testing and processing, units are labeled and stored. Depending on the blood component, units are stored differently. There are specific similarities and differences in how components of blood are stored and transported.

Transporting Blood

When units are ready, they move into the transportation process and are moved to hospitals or other medical providers that will conduct the transfusion. When transporting units, blood products must be stored in specific temperature conditions, and extra steps must be taken to ensure the optimal temperature ranges for the unit are maintained throughout the transportation process. This typically involves specific containers and monitoring of products. 

Units also have different shelf lives, blood at forty-two days, platelets at five days, and plasma at up to a year if frozen properly. Regardless of shelf life, all of these products are recommended to be transported in less than twenty-four hours. Thanks to transportation services such as Medi-Ops, air and ground transportation options make these time and transportation constraints more than possible to accommodate. Hospitals and large medical facilities typically have blood in proper storage and on-site. A continuous supply is ensured so these facilities always have what they need. However, emergencies do arise, and sometimes an emergent call for more blood products is necessary.

Typically, additional safety testing is done upon the unit’s arrival at a facility to provide optimal care to patients. In some cases, additional testing and processing of the unit are required for specific patients.

Transfusion Process

The last stage of this whole process is the actual transfusion. Patients are identified and have blood compatibility tests to confirm their safety and health. While multitudes of individuals receive blood, transfusions can help patients struggling with cancer, trauma, sickle-cell, burn victims, and those with chronic diseases. Patients receive the transfusion while being closely monitored by medical professionals. Transfusions can involve a patient receiving whole blood or a specific component, depending on the needs of that individual. These other transfusable components involve red cells, platelets, plasma, cryo, and granulocytes. There are advantages to receiving transfusions of any or all of these components depending on the condition and treatment plan of the patient. Post-transfusion protocols are set in place as well so the medical team and patient can stay in continuous communication for follow-ups. 

Research

Another more behind the scenes portion of this process is research initiatives and testing programs. Medical innovators are continuously testing and researching different uses of blood and blood components to further pursue medicine and future solutions. Research facilities, universities, and medical organizations are constantly looking for new approaches and treatments using blood and transfusion processes. Blood research is always interesting and inspires hope for future medicinal solutions. 
Every two seconds, an individual is in need of blood. The number of logistics and steps involved in the blood supply chain process is crucial in saving lives across the nation. Donating blood is also extremely important for hospitals and medical organizations to continue helping patients in the best ways possible. If you are considering donating blood, find a place near you and help countless individuals today! The process for the donor only takes about an hour from arrival to departure. Donating blood is an incredibly generous accomplishment, and you can inspire your friends and family to do the same.

Human blood in storage bags
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Blood Bank, Courier Services

Blood Versus Plasma Storage & Transportation

Every year in the United States and Canada alone, 4.5 million people need a blood transfusion. The medical needs of these millions of people create a need for significant amounts of blood to be donated, stored, transported, and transfused on a daily basis. Each of these processes has specific requirements and standards in order to safely and effectively retrieve, store and send blood across the country. When storing and transporting blood and its components, it’s vital to understand the similarities and differences between the standards each component requires. Plasma (which makes up 55 percent of blood), as well as whole blood, are both common in types of patient transfusions, however, each has different storage and transport requirements. 

Blood V.S. Plasma

Whole blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Blood is stored in refrigerated environments with a shelf life of 21 to 35 days. Blood can be used in its whole form or have different components extracted after a blood draw depending on the medical need and intended use of the unit of blood. In order to acquire blood necessary for medical procedures, eligible individuals willing and ready to donate blood are essential. This donating process involves a medical professional inserting a sterile needle into the donor’s arm and completing a blood draw. An individual donating whole blood will usually give about a pint of blood, which takes 8 to 10 minutes to collect. The blood donation will be kept on ice until it is transported to a processing center where multiple tests are conducted on the donator’s blood to determine blood type and confirm that there are no diseases or irregularities within the donated unit. Once determining the donation is viable, the blood is packaged and properly stored until the time comes to distribute blood to a hospital or medical institution. Blood donations are used for surgeries, traumatic injuries, cancer treatments and so much more. In the United States, an individual is in need of blood every 2 seconds, so donating blood is an incredible act of service. One pint of blood (one donation!) can save up to three lives! Interested in donating? Learn more about the donation process and what you can do here!

In whole blood, red and white blood cells, as well as platelets, are suspended in a yellowish liquid called plasma. Plasma is essential to the body in maintaining blood pressure, supplying blood clotting proteins, and is also important for immunity and electrolyte transport. In order to extract plasma from other blood components, the liquid (plasma) and cells must be separated. When an individual chooses to donate plasma, a blood draw is conducted, similar to a whole blood donation. However, the key difference in this donation process is that the blood drawn is filtered through a high-tech machine that extracts plasma for collection and then sends red cells and platelets, along with saline, back into the donor’s body. This process takes longer than a whole blood donation, averaging about an hour and fifteen minutes. Once collected, plasma goes through a freezing process to store it properly. Plasma transfusions are conducted in cases of cancer treatment, burn victims, liver failure, and those that have experienced severe trauma.

3 Similarities in Blood and Plasma Storage

  1. Temperature Maintenance – Blood and plasma products must be stored in specific temperature conditions to properly preserve the product. This goes for storage as well as transport. When a product is in transport, extra measures must be taken to ensure that optimal temperature standards are being maintained.
  2. Time – When transporting blood and plasma, time is a huge factor. While these two products have different shelf lives, both of them should never have a transportation time of over 24 hours. Medi-Ops’s ground and air transportation services have created a standard of efficient and time-friendly transport in order to excel under these standards.
  3. Equipment – Unmonitored and ill-constructed equipment can be detrimental to the storage and transportation process of both blood and plasma. A careful eye and assurance of proper procedures are essential in cases of handling these medical products. 

3 Differences in Blood and Plasma Storage

  1. Temperature Requirement – While temperature maintenance is a similarity in both blood and plasma storage, the requirements for each are different. Blood units require refrigerated storage at 2 to 6 degrees Celsius. Plasma, once collected, must be flash frozen at -70 degrees celsius before being transferred to storage at -30 degrees celsius. These temperatures are imperative in maintaining both products.
  2. Shelf Life – In terms of shelf life, blood and plasma are drastically different. After extraction and proper storage, blood units have a shelf life of up to 35 days. In contrast, plasma can last up to a year in its frozen state. However, once thawed, plasma has a short shelf life of 5 days, depending on the plasma product.
  3. Container – Due to the difference in temperature, the type of containers used during transport is important when moving blood or plasma. Specifically designed blood transport boxes are most common for moving blood units from one location to another. Insulated containers with ice packs that can maintain the specific temperatures required to preserve blood during transport can also be used. When transporting plasma,  insulated containers that can support dry ice or a substantial amount of wet ice are necessary to keep the product in its ideal frozen state.

All in all, blood and plasma are used daily in the medical field and units are in constant need of transport. Although having their fair share of similarities and differences in the donation, storage, transportation, and transfusion processes, these products require specific attention to storage and transport details. The way Medi-Ops accommodates all of these specifics, safely transporting a variety of medical products and specimens, including plasma and blood, ensures consistent, quality service. When it comes to life-altering circumstances, the efficiency and quality of medical storage and transport are of the utmost importance.

on- board medical courier showing a white cargo plane
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Blood Bank, Courier Services, Flight Services

On-Board Couriers in Medical Transportation

In the medical world, timing is not always predictable or within a medical professional’s control. When emergency situations arise, means of medical transport can be complicated. Due to this fact, Medi-Ops is quick to respond to calls with various services tailored specifically to meet the needs of any transport situation that may emerge. 

On July 4th of this year, a granulocyte transport for a pediatric lymphoma patient in New Orleans, Louisiana was urgently called in. Granulocytes are the most common white blood cells whose primary function is to fight infection and are used in transfusions to patients with low white blood cell counts. Donors will give granulocytes via blood separation processes and the units of donated granulocytes are only good for 24 hours from the start of the blood draw from a donor. Therefore, this independence day transport call was urgent and extremely time-sensitive. In this case, the granulocyte transport needed to move from Colorado to Louisiana within the 24-hour window. While Medi-Ops would typically handle this call with a Next Flight Out (NFO) service, many airline cargo stations were closed due to the holiday. An NFO service would require cargo stations to be utilized, as a driver drops the product at the airport with the airline, and then a pickup is scheduled on the other end of the flight to transport the product to its final destination. Due to the urgency of this call, an on-board courier method of transportation was required. This way, a Medi-Ops employee could take the product, accompany it onto and during the flight, and quickly transport it to the recipient within the narrow time window. While on-board courier methods are not as common in medical transport, utilizing this service can create ideal conditions for time-sensitive, emergency situations.

What Is On-Board Courier Transport?

The next flight out option with Medi-ops is great for so many reasons. However, sometimes cargo stations are closed on holidays or other occasions, invalidating the option of medical transport via NFO. In these cases, the on-board courier system is used to safely and efficiently transport blood, organs, and other medical specimens. With on-board couriers, a courier professional is physically present with the product throughout the duration of transport. On-board couriers ensure efficiency and safety in a time-sensitive manner. The ability to schedule these trips at the last minute makes on-board couriers ideal for certain urgent emergencies. 

When on-board courier transport is determined to be the most effective method of transportation, what exactly does the process look like? The on-board courier professional that is transporting the product will receive the cargo and accompany it through preflight procedures and onto a passenger flight. When landed, the courier brings the cargo safely through the deplaning process and transports it directly to the final destination, into the hands of medical professionals that will then take the product for its intended use.

On-Board Couriers V.S. Next Flight Out

More commonly, Medi-Ops utilizes the Next Flight Out Service when transporting products via air. An NFO service can be offered through an Indirect Air Carrier such as Medi-Ops. This kind of transport allows for the shipment of medical specimens and products over commercial airlines, providing rapid and secure transport. Through this method, a shipment is picked up and moved to the airport where it is tendered to the airline and monitored using Medi-Ops software during the flight. Post-flight, the shipment is retrieved and delivered to its final destination. The key difference between NFO and on-board couriers is that with an on-board courier there is a professional physically present on the flight and accompanying the product throughout the duration of transport. On-board courier transport tends to be more expensive, however, can be conducted on short notice and with greater flight options.

Safety

As one of the fastest modes of cargo transportation, on-board couriers ensure top-tier safety in medical transport. Because so many transport situations are extremely time-sensitive, on-board couriers are able to create a system where the product is getting exactly where it needs to be in the safest way possible. Since the courier professionals personally accompany the shipment, the product is monitored and watched at all times.

Efficiency

The efficiency of on-board couriers can not be overlooked either! Customs clearance and transport procedures during travel are quick and the products can immediately be available at their final destination. In the case of granulocyte transport previously mentioned, the short shelf life of the product can seemingly produce logistic problems. When granulocytes are extracted from a donor, the short shelf life requires the patient to receive the transfusion within hours. However, since there are rare and urgent needs in this area, granulocytes are often located out of state for certain patients. An efficient transport with an on-board courier can be the means of life or death in these cases. With Medi-Ops, the most efficient method of transport is utilized for each specific call. The option of on-board courier transport with Medi-Ops furthers the ability to address every transport need in the best way possible.

Every situation and call received by Medi-Ops requires evaluation on which means of transport creates the safest, most ideal environment for product, patients, and transportation. In the July 4th call to the pediatric patient, getting a rare and short shelf-life product transported across the United States within a small time window was an incredible accomplishment and couldn’t have been done without the use of on-board courier transport. On-board couriers therefore clearly become an essential means of medical transport when moving time-sensitive products across the country. Using this service ensures safety and efficiency simultaneously, creating the perfect means of emergency medical transport in rare and unique situations.

woman-giving-blood-in-modern-hospital-donated-blood-concept
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Blood Bank

Timing Considerations in Blood Donations and Usage

According to the American Red Cross, 16 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S. They also estimate that approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U.S. Donated blood is lifesaving for people who have lost blood from an accident or surgery. It must be stored and transported in a very particular manner. This is the only way to guarantee the quality from when blood is donated, to when transfusion occurs. 

The process of storing and transporting blood is complex, so we’ve put together this guide to learn about the best practices to preserve its quality. 

Effects of Improper Blood Storage and Transportation

You need to store, and transport donated blood properly to preserve the quality. What happens if you don’t? Below are the effects of improper blood storage!

  • Blood stored or transported outside the recommended temperatures loses the ability to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide upon transfusion.
  • The bacterial contamination risk increases when donated blood is exposed to high temperatures.
  • Super low temperatures below freezing point increase the chances of blood hemolysis. This can cause a deadly transfusion reaction. 

Blood Cold Chain Management Cycle

What is the blood cold chain management cycle? This is the blood cycle from donation to transfusion. The process is a series of interconnected activities such as blood donation, processing, testing, storage, distribution, and transfusion. 

It also involves personnel and equipment needed to handle donated blood safely. Ideally, the cycle begins before the blood collection. Blood bags need to be stored under the right temperature conditions awaiting donated blood.

What Constitutes Blood?

Blood can be transfused as a whole or its components. Knowing what constitutes blood is critical because it affects how you store and transport blood. Below is the breakdown of what makes up blood!

  • Whole Blood; contains all blood components like plasma, red cells, white cells, and platelets. It’s the most popular form of blood transfusion because it can help many people when separated into individual components. 
  • Red Cells; are produced in the bone marrow and are responsible for the characteristic color. They’re used to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the body tissues.
  • Platelets; are made in the bone marrow and are responsible for preventing or stopping excessive blood loss after a cut.
  • Plasma; is the liquid holding all blood components in place. It makes up about 60% of blood volume.
  • White Cells; are the body’s defense system. They protect the body from diseases by producing antibodies to fight bacteria and viruses. Donated blood containing white cells can cause more harm than good. So, they’re always removed before transfusion.

How to Store and Transport Donated Blood

After testing and processing blood under the recommended conditions, it’s vital to store and transport it properly. The three primary blood storage equipment include:

  • Blood storage refrigerators–used to maintain whole blood, red blood cell concentrates, and other blood components at +4°C ± 2°C. Different blood storage refrigerators include Upright freestanding units, Freestanding chest refrigerators, Cold rooms, and Solar and gas-powered storage equipment.
  • Plasma storage freezers–used to maintain plasma at temperatures consistently colder than –25°C. The different plasma storage freezers include Upright freestanding freezers, Freestanding chest freezers, and Freezer rooms.
  • Room temperature storage facilities–are used to maintain platelet concentrates and fresh blood under an optimum temperature range of +22°C ± 2°C. The different room temperature storage facilities are a Platelet agitator, Temperature controlled room, and Temperature controlled working environment. 

How to Store and Transport Whole Blood and Red Cells

According to the American Red Cross, the recommended temperature for storing whole blood ranges between +4°C ± 2°C. You need to store whole blood at this temperature range to maintain its ability to transport oxygen.

The right storage bags should contain enough anticoagulant, a chemical preservative solution used to prevent the blood from clotting. Also, the recommended storage period is approximately 35 days. You’ll want to keep this in mind to guarantee blood quality.

The recommended temperature range for transporting pre-processed blood is +20 °C to +24 °C, which shouldn’t take longer than six hours. On the other hand, you should transport processed blood at a temperature range of +2 °C to +10 °C in under 24 hours.

Some specialists can treat and freeze red blood cells to last more than ten years. But this significantly depends on the available technology.

How to Store and Transport Blood Platelets

Standard operating procedures require platelets to be separated from whole blood within six hours after collection. This is done through the centrifugation process! This means whole blood should be stored between +20 °C and +24 °C before centrifugation. 

This is also the recommended temperature range for storing platelet concentrates, i.e., +22°C ± 2°C. Lastly, platelet concentrates should be used within five days. This is the maximum storage time.

How to Store and Transport Blood Plasma

Blood plasma is first frozen and maintained in a blood bank freezer at a temperature ≤-18ºC and allowed to thaw. The thawed plasma is stored in a plasma storage freezer at a temp of 1-6ºC. Frozen plasma has a one-year shelf life from the collection date.

On the other hand, thawed plasma has a shorter shelf life. So it should be used within one day to five days maximum. 

Wrapping Up

Donated blood can restore life! But this significantly depends on how the blood is handled during the cold chain management cycle. This means you need the right professionals to handle blood and blood derivatives. 

More importantly, it’s best to store and transport the blood and its components according to the recommended standard operating procedures. A minor delay during transportation or poor storage equipment can be costly. This is why you need a reliable blood transportation system. The good news is that Medi-Ops got your back! We are a technology-enabled medical logistics and transportation organization. Contact us to learn more!

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