Residual Risk of Bacterial Contamination of Platelets: 6 Years of Experience with Sterility Testing at Canadian Blood Services

Background: Canadian Blood Services screens platelet concentrates for bacterial contamination with the BacT/ALERT system within 24 to 30 hours post-phlebotomy. Quality Control (QC) sterility testing of 1% outdated platelets (or minimum 10 units) is performed on a monthly basis. Data of routine screening, QC testing, and septic reactions obtained from 2010 to 2016 are presented herein.

Source: Transfusion Medicine Reviews - June 18, 2017 Category: Hematology Authors: Sandra Ramirez-Arcos, Caesar DiFranco, Terri McIntyre, Mindy Goldman Source Type: research