The feasibility of introducing a whole blood component for traumatic haemorrhage in the UK.

Background: The interest in re-introducing whole blood (WB) transfusion for the management of traumatic major haemorrhage is increasing. However, due to the current leucodepletion filters used in the UK a WB component was not readily available. Instead, an alternative but similar component, leucocyte depleted red cell and plasma (LD-RCP), which provided a unique experience in assessing the feasibility of a WB component was used whilst a WB component was being manufactured.

Making every drop count: reducing wastage of a novel blood component for transfusion of trauma patients.

Recent research demonstrates that transfusing whole blood (WB=red blood cells (RBC)+plasma+platelets) rather than just RBC (which is current National Health Service (NHS) practice) may improve outcomes for major trauma patients. As part of a programme to investigate provision of WB, NHS Blood and Transplant undertook a 2-year feasibility study to supply the Royal London Hospital (RLH) with (group O negative, 'O neg') leucodepleted red cell and plasma (LD-RCP) for transfusion of trauma patients with major haemorrhage in prehospital settings.Incidents requiring such prehospital transfusion occur randomly, with very high variation.

Thawing times and hemostatic assessment of fresh frozen plasma thawed at 37°C and 45°C using water-bath methods.

Background: The Barkey Plasmatherm (BP; Barkey GmbH & Co. KG) can thaw plasma at 37°C and 45°C. No studies have assessed thawing times or hemostatic qualities of plasma thawed at 45°C with BP.