Sterility of fresh whole blood units stored for an extended period of time above room temperature.

BACKGROUND

Whole blood (WB) is stored between 1 and 6°C to minimize bacterial proliferation. Recent studies suggest that storing WB at room temperature (RT) for short periods may also be bacteriologically safe. Storing WB at or above RT could have significant implications for prehospital and military transfusion practices and prevent its waste. This study determined if FWB stored above room temperature led to positive bacteria cultures.

METHODS

Fresh WB (FWB) was collected from five healthy, military-aged male volunteer donors in CPDA-1 bags. The units were sampled for bacteria culture at the time of donation and again after approximately 23 h of storage under experimental conditions. After collection, the FWB units were labeled and placed into "Golden Hour" containers without the cooling material; the units were then placed into different environments designed to simulate military field conditions where WB might be collected including on the ground in direct sunlight, in the covered cargo bed of a vehicle in direct sunlight, in a non-climate-controlled storage facility, in an open field, and under vegetation. Automated thermometers and hygrometers were included in each container.

RESULTS

The median temperatures for all five stored units ranged from 28.3 to 30.1°C. The relative humidity range was 41.7%-85.9%. All of the pre- and post-storage cultures were sterile.

DISCUSSION: These results support the potential microbiological safety of short-term, above RT storage of FWB. If confirmed, the ability to store FWB above RT for an extended period of time could positively impact blood unit management on the battlefield.