Cell-Saver storage and use

Q: Blood salvaged intraoperatively from one patient can be stored and later used for other patients of the same blood type.

A) True

B) False

Answer: B

Although it is true that blood salvaged intraoperatively, popularly known as "Cell-Saver," can be stored for future use but it should only be used for the same patient and NEVER BE FOR ANY OTHER PATIENT. Salvaged blood can be used for up to 6 hours on the same patient or 24 hours if stored properly at 1-6°C. 

It is presumed that blood is collected under standard aseptic conditions and labeled properly for the same patient and expiration time with a sticker: "For Autologous Use Only."

#hematology

Reference:

1. Boulos L, Kuebler JD, Angona R, Sweeney D, Wang H, Nocera E, Cholette JM. Cell Saver Blood Reinfusion Up to 24 Hours Post Collection in Pediatric Cardiac Surgical Patients Does Not Increase Incidence of Hospital-Acquired Infections or Mortality. J Extra Corpor Technol. 2021 Sep;53(3):161-169. doi: 10.1182/ject-2100015. PMID: 34658406; PMCID: PMC8499635.

2. Almeida RM, Leitão L. The use of cell saver system in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 2013 Mar;28(1):76-82. English, Portuguese. doi: 10.5935/1678-9741.20130012. PMID: 23739936.

3. Michele Heath, Aryeh Shander ::Surgical blood conservation: Blood salvage : © 2022 UpToDate, Inc.