Abstract
Background and Objectives
Incorrect storage of blood and blood components within inappropriate temperature range not only nullifies the treatment effect but also brings about adverse effects. For cold chain system to be implemented, hospital blood banks should be well equipped, well trained staff should be involved, and standard operating procedures should be in place.
Materials and Methods
In this descriptive study, 50 hospital with permanent blood bank supervisors were selected to participate in the study in Mazandaran and Gilan Province. All cold chain equipment in hospital blood banks were directly observed all observations were then made on the formulated questionnaires. The data were analyzed with Pearson and Spearman’s rank test by SPSS 16.
Results
Out of the 50 hospital blood banks under study, 17 (34%) lacked standard criteria. This in part could be attributed to the lack of blood bank special freezers although they were all equipped with special refrigerators. The variables of age, gender, work experience, and education degree of the staff had no significant correlation with blood bank criteria.
Conclusions
The cold chain process is necessary to be followed for blood safety to be ensured. Although equipment deficiency is a main factor for blood banks not to be standard, regular personnel training and continuous supervision would be helpful for this trend to be enhanced.
Key words: Cold chain, Blood Banks, Equipment
Teimuri Naghadeh H, Karimi G, Rostamian A, Kiadaliri K, Behzad J, Vafaei Shooshtari M et al . Assessment of cold chain equipment and the study of effective factors in storage of blood and blood components in Mazandaran and Gilan provinces. Sci J Iran Blood Transfus Organ 2011; 7 (4) :235-241 URL: http://bloodjournal.ir/article-1-439-en.html