How to Choose a Blood Bank Refrigerator

By Rachel Kohn | April 28, 2010

Calls for blood donors often intensify after local or regional disasters as public safety responders and healthcare facilities seek additional supplies from local blood banks.   A blood bank refrigerator performs an important function in maintaining the safety of blood according to regulations by the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER).  Other standards organizations include the American Association of Blood Banks (ABBA) and the American Red Cross.

Section (h) of the FDA’s 21CFR640.4 relates to the storage of blood immediately following collection.  It states that unless the blood is to be used for platelets it should be placed in storage at temperatures of 1 to 6˚C (39 to 43˚F).

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