Experiences with Frozen Erythrocytes in a Private Hospital

Frozen erythrocytes can provide a valuable addition to many blood banks for better patient care. Exaggerated fears concerning cost and complexity have frightened many blood bankers from consideration of a frozen erythrocyte program for their hospital blood bank. This type of program promotes improved blood banking as it emphasizes the need for increased utilization of specific blood components in hemotherapy. Since better inventory control is achieved, the patient is more likely to receive the desired component when needed. Erythrocytes containing optimal levels of DPG and ATP always are available. As compared to ordinary whole blood, frozen erythrocytes markedly reduce the incidence of febrile and hypersensitivity reactions, and the incidence of hepatitis may be reduced. A frozen erythrocyte program is also advantageous in that an autotransfusion program can be developed successfully and blood from selected donors lacking certain antigens can be stored for future transfusions to patients presenting problems.