Blood bank

Blood bank
: A place where blood is collected from donors, typed, separated into components, stored, and prepared for transfusion to recipients. A blood bank may be a separate free-standing facility or part of a larger laboratory in a hospital. Separation of blood: Typically, each donated unit of blood (whole blood) is separated into multiple components, such as red blood cells, plasma and platelets. Each component is generally transfused to a different individual, each with different needs. An increasingly common blood bank procedure is apheresis, or the process of removing a specific component of the blood, such as platelets, and returning the remaining components, such as red blood cells and plasma, to the donor. This process allows more of one particular part of the blood to be collected than could be separated from a unit of whole blood. Apheresis is also performed to collect plasma (the liquid part of the blood) and granulocytes (white blood cells). Who receives blood: Accident victims, people undergoing surgery and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or other diseases, such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia, all utilize blood. Over 20 million units of blood components are transfused every year in the US. Giving blood to yourself: Patients scheduled for surgery may be eligible to donate blood for themselves, a process known as autologous blood donation. In the weeks before non-emergency surgery, an autologous donor may be able to donate blood that will be stored until the surgical procedure. Typing and testing blood: After blood is drawn, it is tested for the ABO blood group type and the Rh type (positive or negative), as well as for any unexpected red blood cell antibodies that may cause problems in the recipient. Screening tests are also performed for evidence of donor infection with hepatitis viruses B and C, human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) 1 and 2, human T-lymphotropic viruses (HTLV) I and II and syphilis. Storage of blood: Each unit of whole blood is normally separated into several components. Red blood cells may be stored under refrigeration for a maximum of 42 days, or they may be frozen for up to 10 years. Red cells carry oxygen and are used to treat anemia. Platelets are important in the control of bleeding and are generally used in patients with leukemia and other forms of cancer. Platelets are stored at room temperature and may be kept for a maximum of five days. Fresh frozen plasma, used to control bleeding due to low levels of some clotting factors, is usually kept in the frozen state for up to one year. Cryoprecipitated AHF, which contains only a few specific clotting factors, is made from fresh frozen plasma and may be stored frozen for up to one year. Granulocytes are sometimes used to fight infections, although their efficacy is not well-established. They must be transfused within 24 hours of donation. Other blood products: Other products derived from blood include albumin, immune globulin, specific immune globulins and clotting factor concentrates. These blood products are commonly made by commercial manufacturers.
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A place, usually a separate part or division of a hospital laboratory or a separtate free-standing facility, in which blood is collected from donors, typed, separated into several components, stored, and/or prepared for transfusion to recipients.

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blood bank n a place for storage of or an institution storing blood or plasma also blood so stored
blood bank·er -'baŋ-kər n

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a department within a hospital or blood transfusion centre in which blood collected from donors is stored prior to transfusion. Blood must be kept at a temperature of 4°C and may be used up to four weeks after collection.

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an organization that collects, processes, and stores blood in preparation for transfusions.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • blood bank — blood′ bank n. 1) a place where blood or blood plasma is collected, processed, stored, and distributed 2) the supply of blood or blood plasma at such a place • Etymology: 1935–40 …   From formal English to slang

  • blood bank — blood banks N COUNT A blood bank is a place where blood which has been taken from blood donors is stored until it is needed for people in hospital …   English dictionary

  • blood bank — ☆ blood bank n. 1. a place where whole blood or blood plasma is drawn, typed, processed, and stored under refrigeration for future use 2. any reserve of blood for use in transfusion …   English World dictionary

  • blood bank — n a store of human blood to be used in hospital treatment …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • blood bank — blood ,bank noun count a place where blood is stored so that it can be given to people during medical operations …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Blood bank — A blood bank is a cache or bank of blood or blood components, gathered as a result of blood donation, stored and preserved for later use in blood transfusions.Transfusion serviceMost hospital blood banks also perform the testing to determine the… …   Wikipedia

  • blood bank — noun a place for storing whole blood or blood plasma the Red Cross created a blood bank for emergencies • Hypernyms: ↑bank * * * noun : a place for storage of or an institution storing blood or plasma; also : blood so stored * * * 1. a place… …   Useful english dictionary

  • blood bank — 1. a place where blood or blood plasma is collected, processed, stored, and distributed. 2. such a supply of blood or blood plasma. [1935 40] * * * Organization that collects, stores, processes, and supplies blood. Most blood donations are… …   Universalium

  • blood bank — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms blood bank : singular blood bank plural blood banks a place where blood is stored so that it can be given to people during medical operations …   English dictionary

  • blood bank — Synonyms and related words: Rh factor, Rh negative, Rh positive, Rh type, Rhesus factor, X ray, antibody, antigen, arterial blood, arterial transfusion, blood, blood cell, blood count, blood donor, blood donor center, blood group, blood grouping …   Moby Thesaurus

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