BLOOD BANK REFRIGERATION
Our blood bank refrigerators from KW Apparecchi and Emsas are specifically designed to store blood and blood derivatives.
They can also be used for storing of pharmacy and biological materials in hospitals, transfusion centres and laboratories.
All are medical device registered 93/42/CEE
KW Apparecchi Scientifici
Capacities from 80 litres to 1500 litres
GREEN ICE refrigerants are non toxic
High efficiency cooling fans are up to 40% more efficient
Antibacterial internal surfaces
Single or dual refrigeration systems
Emsas
Extensive Range
6 different capacities
Special 2-year warranty
Drawers or baskets
Built in data storage & thermal printer
Blood bank refrigeration FAQs
What is a blood bank refrigerator?
Put simply, a blood bank refrigerator is a type of fridge used to store blood and blood products or derivatives.
They often appear similar to commercial fridges, but are personalised to make them more functional for the specific setting and to help with storage - holding biological samples securely and minimising the risk of spills and wastage.
Depending on the model, they can have wire shelves or drawers for storage, glass or metal fronts for easier stocktaking, and a choice of under-counter or freestanding, larger capacities – depending on the needs of the pharmacy, hospital, transfusion centre, or laboratory.
It must be noted that blood bank refrigeration must be of an approved type, compliant with the regulations and be a registered medical device to MDD 83/42/EEC. Domestic and pharmacy fridges are not acceptable and must never be used for storing blood products.
If you need a blood bank refrigeration and would rather order based on personalised recommendations, you can call or email us here at QED Scientific.
As NHS-approved suppliers we can help you find the blood bank refrigerators best suited to your needs without hours of shopping around.
How long can blood be stored in a blood bank?
The storage of blood and blood products is explicitly monitored and follows guidance set out in the Transfusion Handbook.
This ensures that every part of the blood donation process, from choosing donors and storing biological materials, to administering transfusions is safe.
Advice means that whole blood can be stored in a blood bank refrigerator for between 21 and 35 days, depending on the anticoagulant used, while (separated and) packed red blood cells and red cells may be refrigerated for a maximum of 42 days.
For more information about what happens to blood donations, explore our blog ‘What happens to donated blood? The journey through blood bank equipment,’ or fill in our online contact form and our experienced team will help however they can.
Why is blood refrigerated after being collected?
Just as raw meat needs to be carefully stored in domestic or commercial fridges, blood has excellent potential for bacterial growth so needs to be refrigerated properly to avoid spoiling.
Using spoiled blood or blood products can result in blood poisoning, which can be very harmful to the patient, so the process must be closely monitored.
Moreover, as blood donation services are always seeking new donations, allowing a sample to spoil and be destroyed can result in a patient who needs it not receiving a donation – so it’s best practice to store blood conscientiously in dedicated blood bank refrigeration products.
For more information about how to keep your blood samples safe in a blood bank refrigerator, or to find out more about the blood bank refrigeration options available to you, email or call us today to speak to our experts.