FDA BLOOD BANK INSPECTION GUIDE

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Blood Bank Inspections

Note: This document is reference material for investigators and other FDA
personnel. The document does not bind FDA, and does no confer any rights,
privileges, benefits, or immunities for or on any person(s).

GUIDE TO INSPECTIONS OF BLOOD BANKS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Subject ................................................................................Page

Introduction............................................................................Pg 1

General Information.................................................................Pg 1

Operations...............................................................................Pg 2

Records...................................................................................Pg 2

Errors, Accidents and Fatalities.................................................Pg 2

Facilities, Equipment and Personnel...........................................Pg 3

Quality Assurance.....................................................................Pg 4

Disposal of Infectious Waste......................................................Pg 4

Part A - Whole Blood, Donor Suitability....................................Pg 4

Part B - Laboratory...................................................................Pg 7

Part C - Red Blood Cells...........................................................Pg 10

Part D - Plasma and Recovered Plasma.....................................Pg 12

Part E - Platelets........................................................................Pg 12

Part F - Cryoprecipitated AHF..................................................Pg 12

Part G - Uniform Blood Labeling................................................Pg 13

Part H - Compatibility Testing and Transfusion Reactions............Pg 13

Part I - Storage, Distribution.......................................................Pg 14

Part J - Platelets, Pheresis...........................................................Pg 15

Part K - Computerization............................................................Pg 15

Terms and Abbreviations.............................................................Pg 15

INTRODUCTION

The "Guide to Inspections of Blood Banks" is a consolidation of information

previously provided in the Blood Bank Inspection Checklist and Report, and
the Instruction Booklet for Blood Bank Inspection Checklist and Report, FDA-

2609. This guide, which provides the most updated interpretation of certain
regulations and guidelines, was prepared by the FDA, Office of Regulatory
Affairs and the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

The Blood Bank Inspection Checklist and Report, and the Instruction Booklet
for Blood Bank Inspection Checklist and Report, FDA-2609, are no longer in
effect. Consequently, field investigators are no longer required to fill out the
checklist during establishment inspections nor submit it with inspectional
reports.

The checklist and instruction booklet were last published in May 1991. Since
May 1991, CBER issued a number of memoranda to industry, depicting new
recommendations, and modifications to previous guidance, in addition to
guidelines on quality assurance and validation of computer systems.
Although the agency, at the time of this publication, is in the process of
revising the regulations on blood and blood products, it will take some time
before such revisions are in effect. The current guide provides interim
inspectional direction.

This reference provides the most updated interpretation of certain regulations

and guidelines. This reference is not intended to be a "How to..." it is a
technical reference and is intended to be used in conjunction with the
Inspection Operations Manual (IOM), the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21
(21 CFR), the Compliance Program for the Inspection of Licensed and
Unlicensed Blood Banks (CP 7342.001) and the Compliance Policy Guides for
biologics (CPG 7134).

In several instances the manual refers to memoranda published by CBER and

sent to registered blood establishments. These memoranda should be
available at the FDA District Offices, if not, a copy can be obtained from
CBER, Division of Inspections and Surveillance, Office of Compliance, (301)
594-1194.

The preparation of products for which there are no published Additional

Standards must be described in the establishment's SOP manual and
manufactured in accordance with the methods therein. The investigator
should offer no advice or recommendation to the manufacturer regarding the

preparation of such products. Questions concerning practices which may be

hazardous should be addressed to the Division of Inspections and
Surveillance (HFM-650) at (301) 594-1194.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Investigators should note the U.S. License number, if applicable (and location
number) of facilities. This will serve to identify establishments in
correspondence, applications and other forms of communications.
Registration numbers, essentially central file numbers, are not the same as
license numbers.

The establishment should have a validated pink copy of Form FDA-2830,

Blood Establishment Registration and Product Listing, for the current calendar
year or evidence of having submitted same. If the data on the registration
form is not correct, list corrections to be made in comments, and instruct the
establishment to submit in writing the updated information to the Division of
Blood Applications, (HFM-370), 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 208521448. If changes in the name and address, Medical Director, manufacturing
procedures, or products have occurred, they should be reported to DBA in
order to update the Form FDA-2830.

In unlicensed hospital blood banks, as a matter of courtesy, the hospital

administrator should be notified that the blood bank is to be inspected.

OPERATIONS

Determine whether unlicensed products are shipped interstate for sale,

barter, or exchange and, if so, thoroughly document such shipments. The
requirements of 21 CFR 640, Subpart G apply to plasma exchange if the
resulting plasma is sold.

Determine approximately how many units of whole blood are collected

annually, how many are autologous, and how many are directed. Also,

determine how many units of whole blood and red blood cells (RBCs) are
received from outside sources each year, how many are autologous and how
many are directed.

Determine which products are prepared and activities conducted.

Licensed establishments are required to report changes in manufacturing to

CBER. Some establishments submit SOPs in reporting these changes. Not all
procedures are reviewed by CBER; therefore, if an investigator observes a
procedure s/he considers unsafe for the donor or that will affect the safety,
purity, or potency of the product contact the Division of Inspections and
Surveillance at (301)-594-1191. Refer also to the July 21, 1992 memorandum,
"Changes in Equipment for Processing Blood Donor Samples."

If the facility being inspected is licensed and pheresis products, i.e, Platelets,
Pheresis and Fresh Frozen Plasma, are prepared by automated methods at
other locations, the firm's license should be amended to permit these
products collected at the other locations to be shipped in interstate
commerce.

Leukocytes, granulocytes and monocytes collected by apheresis are not

licensed blood components. If these are shipped interstate, the license
number must not be on the product label and the product is not to be sold,
bartered, or exchanged.

RECORDS

In mass production of components, the on-site supervisor, or other

responsible person, reviewing and approving the records may sign as the
responsible person for each group of products prepared. For licensed blood
banks, this procedure should receive approval from CBER.

Records must be maintained to prevent the distribution of subsequent units

of blood drawn from unsuitable donors. Unsuitable donors include, but are not

limited to, those who test repeatedly reactive for anti-HIV or HBsAg and have
not been properly reentered or have a medical history which would preclude
donation. The regulations do not prohibit firms from collecting blood from
deferred donors. A firm may collect blood from deferred donors if it is not
precluded by its SOP; however, the firm must have a system to prevent the
distribution of these blood components.

Refer to FDA recommendations in current memoranda to registered blood

establishments and/or the establishment's SOP's to determine that the
appropriate disposition of blood components and deferral of donors occurs for
units testing repeatedly reactive.

ERRORS, ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

Refer to CBER's memorandum to registered blood establishments, dated

March 20, 1991, titled "Responsibilities of Blood Establishments Related to
Errors and Accidents in the Manufacture of Blood and Blood Components".

Currently, there is no regulation that requires unlicensed, registered blood

establishments or transfusion facilities to submit error and accident reports to
the FDA. However, a thorough investigation and documentation of corrective
action is required. A request has issued for unlicensed facilities and
transfusion services to voluntarily report errors and accidents.

When a complication of blood collection or transfusion is confirmed to be

fatal, the fatality must be reported to the Office of Compliance, 301-5941194, by the collecting blood bank or by the facility that performed the
compatibility test. This requirement is for any facility in which the fatality
occurred.

In the event that the investigator becomes aware of a previously unreported

fatal donor or recipient reaction which occurred since the last inspection, the
Director, Division of Inspections and Surveillance, 301-594-1194, should be
notified as soon as possible.

LOOKBACK POLICY

See the April 23, 1992 memorandum, "Revised Recommendations for the
Prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Transmission by Blood
and Blood Products" for additional guidance.

POST DONATION INFORMATION REPORTS

Refer to CBER's memorandum to industry titled "Guidance Regarding Post

Donation Information Reports" dated December 10, 1993.

FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, PERSONNEL

FACILITIES

OSHA published the final rule for the "Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne
Pathogens" in the December 6, 1991 Federal Register. Included in the rule are
requirements for facilities to develop procedures to ensure the safety of
employees with a potential for exposure to biohazardous materials and
procedures for medical waste disposal. FDA requires hand-washing facilities
for staff drawing and handling blood and the safe and sanitary disposal of
trash. At some mobile sites where hand washing facilities may not be
available, an alternate method to clean hands, i.e., bactericidal hand wipes, is
acceptable.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) published a booklet entitled Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical
Laboratories which recommends precautions laboratory employees should
follow. The booklet is available through the Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS). It is publication No. (CDC) 88-8395, 94-95, 2nd Edition,
Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 1988.

Unauthorized persons may not wander through an area where blood is being

drawn, therefore, the traffic flow of the facility, especially mobile sites, must
be properly monitored and controlled.

The interview area has to offer the donor a degree of privacy so that the
donor will be comfortable answering the questions without fear of being
overheard.

EQUIPMENT

Refer to the CBER July 21, 1992 Memorandum to licensed establishments on

"Changes in Equipment for Processing Blood Donor Samples". Discussion of
changes in equipment for ABO/RH and antibody screening is presented under
Part B Laboratory below.

If equipment is used in the establishment that is not listed in the CFR,

performance checks and preventive maintenance should be performed by the
firm according to the manufacturer's instructions and/or SOP's.

During the course of an inspection, the investigator may observe or review

instances where equipment or supplies are either being misused or not
functioning as designed. Because of misuse, or lack of adherence to SOP's
and/or manufacturing instructions, the use of key equipment or supplies
creates circumstances where donor, operator, or product safety is
compromised. It is important to examine the firm's overall use of equipment
and supplies to be certain that equipment and supplies are used according to
directions, satisfactorily inspected, maintained and operating properly.

The standardization and calibration of the hematocrit centrifuge may be done

with a commercially prepared control or by other methods, e.g., duplicate
samples tested at multiple intervals.

Spectrophotometers used during viral testing should be checked periodically

for linearity, drift and repeatability according to manufacturer's instructions.

Larger blood establishments may have purchased a central temperature

monitoring system to monitor and record temperatures in blood storage
units. Once the system is installed and its accuracy demonstrated and
documented, a daily comparison of the internal thermometer to the recording
chart/device is not required. However, periodic performance checks
comparing calibrated thermometers to system printouts should be performed
to assure the system is functioning accurately.

Procedures should provide for the calibration of the autoclave before initial
use and after repairs. Calibration procedures should provide assurance that
the autoclave functions as intended, i.e., sterilization of arm preparation
supplies and/or decontamination of biohazardous material. Biologic indicators
must be used periodically and a temperature control, such as heat sensitive
tape, should be used with each run to verify that the materials are being
sterilized. A minimum of 121.5oC (251oF) for 60 minutes by saturated steam
at a pressure of 15 atmospheres is recommended for materials contaminated
with blood; 20 minutes at the same temperature is required for arm
preparation supplies.

PERSONNEL

Blood bank personnel should be familiar with applicable regulations related to

their respective tasks. Personnel should know the location of the SOP manual
and be knowledgeable about those sections which pertain to their jobs.

Staff of mobile sites must have the same degree of training and supervision
as for fixed donor sites located in the blood bank or in a donor center.
Volunteers are permitted to assist in various areas and must be adequately
trained. Training should be documented.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Refer to the "Draft Guideline for Quality Assurance in Blood Establishments",

dated June 17, 1993.

This publication assists manufacturers of blood and blood components on

developing procedures and practices useful for administering a quality
assurance program. Facilities may follow the guideline or choose to use
alternative procedures not provided in the document. However, if an
establishment chooses to use alternative procedures, the facility may wish to
discuss such procedures with the FDA to prevent expenditures of resources
on activities that may be unacceptable to the agency.

DISPOSAL OF INFECTIOUS WASTE

FDA advises that state and local laws should be followed. All blood
contaminated waste should be autoclaved (121.5oC/251oF for 60 minutes) or
incinerated. The firm's SOP should contain specific language for disposal of
contaminated waste. Needles should be disposed of in a container designed
to prevent accidental puncturing of personnel. If contaminated waste is
disposed of by a contract waste disposal firm, a contracted agreement should
be on file at the facility, and specify that Biohazardous material is disposed of
appropriately according to EPA, state and/or local regulations. Inappropriate
disposal practices should be referred to state authorities for follow-up.

PART A - WHOLE BLOOD DONOR SUITABILITY

Donor Suitability

Refer to the following CBER memoranda for additional information:

1. "Donor Suitability Related to Laboratory Testing for Viral Hepatitis and a

History of Viral Hepatitis", dated December 22, 1993.

2. "Revised Recommendations for Testing Whole Blood, Blood Components,

Source Plasma and Source Leukocytes for Antibody to Hepatitis C Virus
Encoded Antigen (ANT-HCV), dated August 5, 1993.

3. "Deferral of Blood and Plasma Donors based on Medications", dated July

28, 1993.

4. "Revised Recommendations for Testing Whole Blood, Blood Components,

Source Plasma and Source Leukocytes for Antibody to Hepatitis C Virus
Encoded Antigen (Anti-HCV), dated April 23, 1992.

5. "Revised Recommendations for the Prevention of HIV Transmission by

Blood and Blood Products", dated April 23, 1992.

6. "Exemptions to Permit Persons with a History of Viral Hepatitis Before the

Age of Eleven Years to Serve as Donors of Whole Blood and Plasma:
Alternative Procedures", dated April 23, 1992.

7. "Clarification of FDA Recommendations for Donor Deferral and Product

Distribution Based on the Results of Syphilis Testing: dated December 12,
1991.

8. "FDA Recommendations Concerning Testing for Antibody to Hepatitis B

Core Antigen (Anti-HBc)", dated September 10, 1991.

9. "Recommendations for the Management of Donors and Units that are

Initially Reactive for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg)", dated December 2,
1987.

10. "HTLV-I Antibody Testing", dated November 29, 1988.

All persons donating blood or blood components for transfusion or further

manufacturing use should receive information about the safety of blood
products in relation to AIDS epidemiology and the implications for donors who
have engaged in certain high-risk activities. The information should be
written in language that assures that the donor understands the definition of
high-risk behaviors and the importance of self-exclusion. Procedures should

also be available that permit communication of this information to visually

impaired, illiterate, or non-English speaking persons if they are permitted to
donate. The procedures applied should provide an opportunity at each visit
for the donor to consider the information and to make an informed decision
about whether to donate. 640.3

DONOR HISTORY

Temperature, Blood Pressure: The suggested "normal" blood pressure value is

90-180 mm/50-100 mm. A low temperature is usually of no significance
unless the donor has symptoms of viral illness. Temperature conversion: oF =
(oC x 9/5) + 32; oC = (oF - 32) x 5/9. A temperature on the day of donation
>= 99.6oF (37.5oC) would temporarily defer a donor. A temperature of 99oF
(37.2oC) for more than a 10 days should be evaluated before donation would
be allowed.

Acute Respiratory Diseases: Symptoms of respiratory disease (colds,

influenza, persistent cough, sore throat) or other manifestations of upper
respiratory disease shall be cause for rejection until active symptoms have
subsided. Such symptoms may be an early indication of a more serious
illness.

Other Acute and Chronic Disqualifying Diseases: Convulsions, bleeding

disorders, recent tooth extraction (within 72 hours), malaria, skin infection at
the phlebotomy site, cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes, and heart disease should
be cause for rejection.

Infectious Skin Diseases: Mild skin disorders such as acne, psoriasis, or the
rash of poison ivy are not cause for deferral unless they affect the skin in the
phlebotomy area. Donors with boils or other severe skin infections should be
deferred until the phlebotomy area is free of infection. Malaria: See the July
26, 1994 memorandum, "Recommendations for Deferral of Donors for Malaria
Risk", for additional guidance. CDC provides a booklet, "Health Information
for International Travelers," which should be used rather than the maps that
were once used. This booklet is updated yearly and the firm should be using a
recent edition.

Plasmapheresis donations that are also used for the preparation of Platelets
are not exempted from the malaria restrictions.

Hepatitis: Donors who have had close contact with a patient with viral
hepatitis should be deferred for at least twelve months. Hospital personnel
working in areas where hepatitis is endemic, such as renal dialysis units,
should be excluded for at least twelve months after employment in such
areas. Prospective donors who have received HBIG following a hepatitis
exposure should be deferred for at least 12 months.

Acupuncture patients may donate blood without a twelve month deferral if

the needles used have been sterilized under proper conditions. If the needle
sterilization procedure cannot be verified by the blood bank, the donor should
be deferred for twelve months. The same principle can be applied to ear or
other body piercing. If sterile procedures can be verified to have been used,
the donor need not be deferred.

Donors who have been exposed to blood percutaneously, i.e., needlesticks or

mucous membrane splashes, should be deferred from donating blood for at
least twelve months.

Donors who have received a unit of blood, blood component, or derivative

(other than clotting factor derivatives) which may be a possible source of
infectious disease are deferred for twelve months after receipt of the product.

A memorandum notifying all blood establishments regarding deferrals for

medications including Accutane, Tegison, Proscar and pituitary Human Growth
Hormone was issued July 28, 1993, "Deferral of Blood and Plasma Donors
based on Medications." If a donor admits to taking medications, i.e., aspirin or
antibiotics, there should be further questioning of the donor to determine the
reason for taking the medication that might preclude donation (i.e., aspirin
for fever or antibiotic for infection).

An acceptable reference for drug/medication deferral is the Drug Use and

Blood Donor Acceptability Guide, Cutter Biological, 1983.

Directed Donors: should meet all suitability requirements and be tested as

allogeneic donors. Occasionally, a directed donation may not meet all
suitability and testing requirements, in which case, the patient's physician
may make a medical decision to use the directed donation.

SCREENING AREA QUALITY CONTROL

The containers for the copper sulfate (CuSO4) solution must be covered when
not in use so that the solution will not evaporate. In order to prevent dilution
of the copper sulfate, which might result in selection of donors with
inadequate hemoglobin levels, containers must be thoroughly dry before use.
Generally, 25 ml vials of copper sulfate solution are used. Because the
blood:copper sulfate ratio is one drop of blood:one ml of copper sulfate, the
copper sulfate should be discarded after 25 donors have been tested.

The copper sulfate solution used, which is equivalent to 12.5 gm/dl

hemoglobin, has a specific gravity of 1.053; CuSO4 equivalent to 13.5 gm/dl
hemoglobin has a specific gravity of 1.055. The specific gravity should be
checked periodically with a calibrated hydrometer.

If there is no clear distinction between acceptable and unacceptable donors,

the solutions should be changed, or a different method of screening donors
should be considered. Copper sulfate screening is not a quantitative
procedure. Specific measurement of hemoglobin or hematocrit may indicate
that a donor rejected by the copper sulfate procedure is, after all, acceptable.

There are newer laboratory instruments available to determine Hemoglobin

or Hematocrit in blood donors (Hemocue by Leo Diagnostics AB, Helsinborg,
Sweden and Hematastat by Separation Technology, Inc. are examples of such
instruments). Quality control procedures should be in accordance with
manufacturer's instructions and the firm's SOP.

ARM PREPARATION

Commercial arm preparation supplies are prepared by several manufacturers,

e.g., Clinipad Corporation and Marion Scientific. These products are not
marked sterile but may be used to prepare the donor's arm for phlebotomy.

Arm preparation supplies, such as gauze, cotton balls, and applicators may
be prepared by the establishment. If the arm preparation supplies are
sterilized by a central supply which is a part of a hospital's operation, it is not
necessary to observe these preparation procedures or to review the records
for these supplies.

Arm preparations should be done with care and for the full amount of time as
stated in the SOP, and ideally with vigorous scrubbing.

There are several ways to do a satisfactory arm preparation. Sufficient

duration and vigor of scrubbing are the key factors to removal of superficial
microbes which is the goal of the arm preparation. The final step must be
application of a bacteriostatic agent in a non-overlapping spiral beginning at
the intended needle puncture site and extending outward.

BLOOD COLLECTION

After the venipuncture area is prepared, the vein may be palpated above or
below the prepared area; however the site of needle insertion should not be
touched prior to venipuncture. It is not permissible to put iodine or sterile
gauze on the finger to palpate the intended venipuncture site. Needles may
be used for only one venipuncture. If a venipuncture is unsuccessful, a new
needle must be used and the arm preparation repeated.

The completion of the donation may be signaled by a trip scale or vacuumassist method based on mass or volume. Otherwise, the bag must be
weighed (spring scales) and the flow stopped manually. The blood should be
mixed gently (either manually or mechanically) during collection. The final

unit should weigh approximately 425-525 grams plus the weight of the
container and anticoagulant (approximately 90 grams). Low volume
collections, e.g., pediatric autologous collections, are acceptable providing
the establishment has an SOP. For low volume collections to be shipped in
interstate commerce, the facility must have CBER approval.

Hermetic sealing of the blood bag tubing is accomplished by one of the

following: dielectric sealing, metal clamp, or tying a tight "white knot" in the
donor tubing. The contents of the tubing should be stripped into the bag,
mixed well, and the anticoagulated blood allowed to refill the tubing.
Following stripping of the tubing, an additional hermetic seal should be
placed close to the bag so as to prevent tampering, thereby ensuring
maintenance of a closed system.

Specific gravity of whole blood = 1.053 gm/mL for blood containing 12.5
gm/dL of hemoglobin. The following calculation is used to convert volume to
weight: 1.053 gm/mL X 500 mL =526.5 gm

There are firms with approval from CBER to collect FFP or other plasma
byproducts using hemapheresis devices. Some firms are approved to aliquot
the FFP (or other products) into smaller containers using a sterile tubing
connecting device (STCD). An STCD is a device which seals two pieces of
"like" (same size and composition) tubing together to make a sterile
connection. Licensed establishments must have FDA approval for
manufacturing components with an SCD. For additional guidance, see the July
29, 1994 memorandum, "Use of an FDA Cleared or Approved Sterile
Connecting Device (STCD) in Blood Bank Practice."

BLOOD COLLECTION CONTAINER

Names of blood container manufacturers may be found on the labels of the

blood bags. The containers manufactured by Cutter Laboratories (Division of
Miles), Fenwal Laboratories (Baxter Healthcare Corporation), and Terumo
Corporation have been approved by CBER. Approved anticoagulants include
anticoagulant citrate dextrose solution (ACD), anticoagulant citrate
phosphate dextrose solution (CPD and CP2D), and anticoagulant citrate
phosphate dextrose adenine solution (CPDA-1).

Collection sets must be stored in accordance with the manufacturer's

instructions. Inappropriate storage may contribute to evaporation of the
anticoagulant/preservative solution, or to mold growth on the container
surface.

LABORATORY SAMPLES

Pilot (laboratory) samples containing blood for ABO, Rh, antibody screening
and viral testing are collected at the time of donation. The tubes must be
identified to accurately relate them to the unit. The method used for
collection of the pilot sample should be one that precludes contamination of
the donor unit, minimizes personnel exposure to blood, and maintains donor
safety. See the AABB Technical Manual, for methods of pilot sample collection.

DATING PERIOD

Expiration dates vary from 21 days for ACD, CPD, and CP2D, 35 days for
CPDA-1 in whole blood and red blood cells, to 42 days for red blood cells to
which additive solutions have been added, i.e., ADSOLR (Fenwal), NutricellR
(Cutter) and OptisolR (Terumo).

AUTOLOGOUS BLOOD COLLECTION

Autologous units are blood or blood products collected from a person for
his/her own use at a later time. These predeposited blood products are
handled and processed as similarly as possible to homologous units. CBER
sent the following memoranda concerning autologous donations to all
registered blood establishments: "Guidance for Autologous Blood and Blood
Components" on March 15, l989 and "Autologous Blood Collection and
Processing Procedures" on February 12, l990 and "Disposition of Blood
Products Intended for Autologous Use that Test Repeatedly Reactive for AntiHCV", dated September 11, 1991.

THERAPEUTIC PHLEBOTOMY

Therapeutic phlebotomies are considered to be a procedure intended to treat

the patient for certain disease states, therefore, a written doctor's request
should be available for the procedure. Units of blood that are collected for
therapeutic phlebotomy must be fully tested and donors meet all suitability
requirements if the units are to be transfused or if the plasma will be sold for
further manufacture. Several recalls have occurred due to lack of testing of
recovered plasma from therapeutic units prior to shipping for further
manufacture.

DONOR REACTIONS

A blood bank should be aware of the nature and frequency of donor reactions.
Adequate records for each reaction should be kept and should include followup in order to insure adequate donor protection. The blood bank's SOP
manual should list and describe donor reactions it considers to be adverse, as
well as the procedures to be followed for handling and investigating these
reactions. Severe donor reactions may include fainting, convulsions, severe
hematomas (infiltration), or injury caused by falling. Mild donor reactions
include feeling faint, nauseated, or dizzy.

PART B - LABORATORY

ABO AND RH TESTING, and RBC Antibody Screening

Blood Grouping Reagents are used to determine the blood group. Anti-A will
agglutinate or clump group A red cells. Anti-B will agglutinate group B red
cells. Anti-D is used to determine Rho (D) factor.

Licensed antisera - some establishments may "otherwise meet the

requirements" for ABO and Rh licensed antibodies by producing their own
antisera. If so, production records that are in compliance with the

requirements for the manufacture of these products specified in 21 CFR 660,

Subpart C must be kept. Licensed blood banks must have CBER approval to
use such antisera.

Test methods used for ABO, Rh and antibody screening, which are different
from the manufacturer's instructions, should not be cited as deviations if they
are not prohibited by the manufacturer, have been demonstrated to be
satisfactory, or have been approved for use by CBER. For example, the
MicrotiterTM plates and GroupamaticTM machines may be used for ABO, Rh,
and antibody testing. The reagents must be tested and shown to perform
adequately or satisfactorily when using these techniques.

Blood which tests Rho(D) negative must be confirmed by further testing

(usually Du) unless it is labeled in accordance with 21 CFR 640.5(c).
Acceptable methods for further testing to confirm D negatives include use of
the antiglobulin method, and use of a special channel on the Kontron
Groupamatic, Olympus PK700, or the Gamma STS-M automated blood
groupers. Licensed blood establishments should have a letter from CBER
approving their use of an automated blood grouper for Du testing.

Not all anti-D reagents may be used for Du testing; the package insert must
include directions for Du testing.

Procedures have been approved to use reagents with the GroupamaticTM

beyond the dating period, provided a proper set of controls is used. Licensed
establishments should have a letter from CBER on file indicating that a
protocol has been submitted and approved for this procedure. Rare reagents,
e.g., anti-Jkb, anti- Leb, etc., are sometimes used beyond the expiration date;
this is acceptable only if adequate controls are used and the reactivity and
specificity of the reagents are documented.

The reactivity and specificity of reagents are generally confirmed by testing

at least one positive and one negative control sample. The negative controls
are not essential for ABO reagents because the antithetical cell and serum
results provide confirmation of test accuracy. The Anti-Human Globulin
(Coombs) reagent must be tested each day of use with an IgG sensitized
("Coombs" control or "check") cell.

The manufacturer's instructions specify that the storage requirement for AntiA, Anti-B, and Anti-D reagents is between 2-8oC; however, it is accepted
practice for these reagents to stay at room temperature for the duration of
the working day. This will usually not diminish the potency of the products
throughout the normal period of use.

AUTOMATED TESTS FOR ABO & RH TESTING

Refer to the July 21, 1992 CBER memorandum to licensed establishments on

"Changes in Equipment for Processing Blood Donor Samples". This document
provides specific guidance on the documentation of changes in equipment,
specifically calibration, validation, parallel testing, quality control,
maintenance and emergency plans.

Laboratory records for automated testing should include the name of the
person who prepared the reagents. If the system does not provide positive
sample identification, a record must be made for the loading pattern and the
record must include the name of the person(s) who loaded and unloaded the
sampler; if results are visually interpreted, the record must include the name
of the person(s) interpreting and transferring the results.

If the firm used automated methods for ABO and Rh typing at the time of
licensure, a separate letter of approval from CBER for automated ABO and Rh
testing will not be issued to the establishment. Reagents used in microplate
test systems should be recommended for this use by the manufacturer's
package insert. If not originally licensed for the use of the microplate test
system, a licensed establishment should have on file a letter from CBER
approving its use. Gamma-Micro-U microtiter plates are approved for use only
with the Gamma microtiter reagent unless the reagent has been evaluated
and found acceptable for such use according to an established protocol.

Occasionally an automated blood grouping instrument is unable to interpret

an ABO or Rh result. The firm should have an SOP to follow-up with further
testing to obtain a result (usually by manual methods) and to up-date the
testing record (data entry and verification).

SEROLOGICAL TEST FOR SYPHILIS

All units of blood must be tested by an acceptable serological test for syphilis
(STS). For further guidance, refer to CBER's December 12, 1991
memorandum to registered blood establishments on "Clarification of FDA
Recommendations for Donor Deferral & Product Distribution Based on the
Results of Syphilis Testing".

DISEASE MARKER TESTING

Each collection of whole blood and blood components must be tested for antiHIV, syphilis, and HBsAg. In addition, they should be tested for anti-HCV, antiHBc, and anti-HTLV-I per recommendations from FDA. Testing for alanine
aminotransferase (ALT) was implemented as a surrogate marker for viral
hepatitis. FDA has not made any recommendations as to whether or not
blood banks should perform ALT testing; however, ALT testing has become an
industry standard. If an establishment has implemented ALT testing, they
should be following the manufacturer's instructions and their SOP for
performing the test and interpreting the test results.

Each unit of blood must be tested for HBsAg by a licensed third generation
test. Third generation tests include radioimmunoassay (RIA), reverse passive
hemagglutination (RPHA), or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA or
EIA).

Refer to CBER's December 22, 1993, memorandum to registered

establishments entitled "Donor Suitability Related to Laboratory Testing for
Viral Hepatitis and a History of Viral Hepatitis".

Each unit must be tested for antibody to HIV with a licensed test kit. There
are three types of licensed kits based upon different manufacturing
technologies:

Whole viral lysates;

Recombinant DNA technology; (See the February 1 and August 1, l989,

memoranda "Use of the Recombigen HIV-1 LA Test" for further information.)
and,

Synthetic peptides.

Refer to Compliance Program 7342.001, Inspection of License and Unlicensed

Blood Banks, Attachments C and D, for a list of licensed test kits for HBsAg,
anti-HIV-1, anti-HIV-2, anti-HIV-1/2, Anti-HCV, Anti-Hbc, Anti-HTLV-I, and
Western blot.

TESTING PERFORMED ON PREMISES

Refer to the following memoranda for further information:

1. "Recommendations for the Management of Donors and Units that are

Initially Reactive for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg)" dated December 2,
l987

2. "HTLV-I Antibody Testing", dated November 29, 1988

3. "Revised Recommendations for the Prevention of HIV Transmission by

Blood and Blood Products", dated April 23, 1992

4. "Use of Fluorognost HIV-1 Immunofluorescent Assay (IFA)", dated April 23,

1992

5. "Revision to 26 October 1989 Guideline for Collection of Blood or Blood

Products from Donors with Positive Tests for Infectious Disease Markers ('High
Risk' Donors)", dated April 17, 1991

6. "FDA Recommendations Concerning Testing for Antibody to Hepatitis B

Core Antigen (Anti-HBc)", dated September 10, 1991

7. "Revised Recommendations for Testing Whole Blood, Blood Components,

Source Plasma and Source Leukocytes for Antibody to Hepatitis C Virus
Encoded Antigen (Anti-HCV)", dated August 5, 1993

8. "Disposition of Blood Products Intended for Autologous Use That Test

Repeatedly Reactive for Anti-HCV", dated September 11, 1991

If automated testing equipment is interfaced with a computer system see

section on computerization, for further guidance.

In the past, the area used for HBsAg and anti-HIV testing would, by design, be
in rooms separated from other blood bank activities. This is no longer
considered to be important as all blood samples should be treated as capable
of transmitting an infectious disease, and Biosafety Level 2 precautions
should be applied in all areas where open samples are handled. However, if
RIA procedures are used in the facility these areas still must be physically
separated from other areas. Work areas, such as counter tops, should be
constructed of non-porous materials and designed to permit thorough
cleaning and disinfection. There should be policies to prevent excessive traffic
of unauthorized personnel through viral testing areas.

PROFICIENCY TESTING

Most blood establishments will be participating in a proficiency testing

program, either an in-house developed or an established program such as the
College of American Pathologists (CAP), AABB or CDC.

A proposed rule was published in the June 6, 1989, Federal Register to require
that each establishment or laboratory responsible for performing FDA
required tests for HBsAg and anti- HIV participate in an approved program to
demonstrate proficiency in performing these tests. The final regulation
proposed by FDA has not been published, however, the final rule proposed by
HCFA, which regulates laboratories receiving Medicare and Medicaid
reimbursement, was published in the March 14, 1990, Federal Register. This
final rule requires laboratories to have policies and procedures for an ongoing
program to assure that employees are competent and maintain their
competency to perform their duties.

TESTING PERFORMED BY OUTSIDE LABORATORIES

The results and interpretations of all (initial and repeat) tests performed and
an explanation of any symbols or phrases used in reporting results should be
provided by the testing facility to the blood bank. The blood bank should have
an SOP for the interpretation of the reports obtained from outside testing
laboratories and written assurance that the outside testing laboratory
interprets test results according to FDA requirements. The raw test data, i.e.,
absorbance readings from the spectrophotometer, need not be sent to the
blood bank. In addition, if the blood establishment is re-entering donors with
previously repeatedly reactive anti-HIV test results, the establishment must
determine if the outside testing laboratory is performing Western blot assays
with licensed test kits.

At this time, 21 CFR 607.65(g) exempts from the requirement to register

clinical laboratories that are approved for Medicare reimbursement
performing hepatitis and anti-HIV testing on donor blood for other registered
facilities. If not registered, the testing laboratory should be asked to
voluntarily register. Send the testing laboratory Form FDA-2830, Blood
Establishment Registration and Product Listing, in accordance with the
procedures described in Field Management Directive 92. Licensed blood
establishments may have viral testing performed at testing facilities which
are also licensed, and only with CBER approval.

Except for emergencies, no units should be issued until written hepatitis and
HIV antibody test results are in the possession of the blood bank.

USE OF REACTIVE UNITS

Refer to the following memoranda:

1. "Guideline for Collection of Blood or Blood Products from Donors with

Positive Tests for Infectious Disease Markers ("High Risk" Donors)", dated
October 26, l989.

2. Revision to 26 October 1989 Guideline for Collection of Blood or Blood

Products from Donors with Positive Tests for Infectious Disease Markers ('High
Risk' Donors)", dated April 17, 1991.

3. "Disposition of Blood Products Intended for Autologous Use That are

Repeatedly Reactive for Anti-HCV", dated September 11, 1991.

INVALIDATION OF TEST RESULTS

Refer to CBER's January 3, 1994 memorandum, titled "Recommendations for

the Invalidation of Test Results When Using Licensed Viral Marker Assays to
Screen Donors".

These recommendations clarify FDA's position on the invalidation of test

results when screening donor blood using licensed viral marker assays,
including the use of external control reagents.

PART C - RED BLOOD CELLS

OPEN SYSTEM

Blood components for transfusion are normally prepared in a closed, sterile

system. Occasionally, however, the hermetic seal may be broken, thereby

exposing the blood component to the outside environment. When this occurs
the component should have an expiration date not to exceed 24 hours.

ADDITIVE SOLUTIONS

Manufacturers of certain blood collection systems have been approved for a

room temperature eight hour hold period following the collection of whole
blood prior to preparation of components. These systems are the ADSOLR
solution system (anticoagulant CPD), manufactured by Fenwal Laboratories,
Division of Baxter Healthcare Corporation, the NutricelR system
(anticoagulant CP2D), manufactured by Cutter Biological, Division of Miles
Inc., and OptisolR, manufactured by Terumo Corporation. In addition, Fenwal's
collection system containing CPDA-1 is also approved for an eight hour hold
prior to component preparation. Platelets, Fresh Frozen Plasma,
Cryoprecipitated AHF and Recovered Plasma may be prepared from the whole
blood within eight hours of collection.

If Fresh Frozen Plasma, Platelets, or Cryoprecipitated AHF are not prepared

from the units of whole blood, the additive solution may be added to the red
blood cells (RBC's) within three days of collection.

RED BLOOD CELLS FROZEN AND RED BLOOD CELLS DEGLYCEROLIZED

The freezing of RBC's may be accomplished by two acceptable techniques,

e.g., high concentration glycerol-slow freeze (storage at <= -65oC) and low
concentration glycerol-rapid freeze (storage, usually in liquid N2, at <=
-120oC). The lot numbers of solutions and containers for glycerolization and
deglycerolization must be recorded. Red Blood Cells, Frozen may be stored for
ten years. If units in storage have not been tested for all currently required
tests, there should be a procedure to prevent mislabeling when units are
thawed.

Quality control testing should be performed and the firm should take
corrective action when test results are out of the firm's established
parameters as stated in the SOP's. Quality control testing may include

periodic sterility testing, monitoring the removal of the glycerol and the
amount of the free hemoglobin in the final product, and the RBC recovery.
Certain blood centers have approval for an SOP that does not require sterility
checks on Red Blood Cells, Deglycerolized, on a periodic basis if the facilities
where the product is prepared are monitored for cleanliness and good
housekeeping procedures, including proper maintenance of air filters in the
heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

An area of concern is that the firm has adequate procedures to assure that
the final container is accurately identified to relate it to the donor. For
example, if several units of blood are frozen and deglycerolized
simultaneously, what controls does the firm utilize to assure against mix-ups?
ABO and Rh checks should be performed after a unit is deglycerolized to
verify the blood type.

REJUVENATING SOLUTIONS

Some establishments use rejuvenating solutions (RejuvasolR, Cytosol Labs,

Red Blood Cell Processing Solution which contains pyruvate, inosine,
phosphate and adenine) to restore normal characteristics of oxygen transport
and delivery and improve post-transfusion survival of RBC's. These solutions
should be used aseptically and according to the manufacturer's instructions.
RejuvasolR may be used to rejuvenate RBC's which have been expired for up
to three days. Once the rejuvenating solution is added to the red blood cells
the unit may be washed and transfused as Red Blood Cells, Rejuvenated, or
the red blood cells may be frozen and deglycerolized (labeled respectively as
Red Blood Cells Frozen, Rejuvenated, and Red Blood Cells, Rejuvenated,
Deglycerolized).

RED BLOOD CELLS - LEUKOCYTES REMOVED

There are several methods for removing leukocytes from RBC's. These
methods include centrifugation with or without saline washing,
microaggregate blood filtration, freezing and deglycerolizing, washing (using
either a manual or automated method) and filtration with filters designed and
approved specifically for leukocyte removal.

For units labeled "Leukocytes Removed" quality control (QC) should be

performed for all the methods listed above. This monthly QC is not necessary
if: (1) the unit is not labeled "Leukocytes Removed"; or (2) the leukocytes are
removed as the unit is being transfused using a filter that is connected to the
transfusion set by the manufacturer or at the patient's bedside. The blood
bank should have SOP's stating values of acceptance for leukocyte removal
and corrective action to be taken if values are outside established limits.
Filters specific for leukocyte removal are sometimes connected to the
transfusion set at the patient's bedside and it would not be practical to
monitor the post- filtration blood for leukocyte counts. The quality control for
these filters was performed by the manufacturer as part of the approval
process. Transfusion services that use filters that remove leukocytes during
transfusion are not considered to be manufacturing a blood product.

IRRADIATED BLOOD

Experimental data have established that in certain immunodepressed

patients transfusion of foreign immunocompetent cells (T lymphocytes) may
lead to graft versus host disease (GVHD). GVHD occurs when donor T
lymphocytes engraft, multiply and react against the tissues of the recipient.
The radiosensitivity of these T lymphocytes is higher than that of other blood
cells, so irradiation of cellular blood products before rransfusion appears to be
effective in preventing the transfusion induced form of this serious
complication. The AABB has recently recommended that blood components
prepared from directed blood donations from first degree family members
(i.e., parents, children, siblings) be irradiated to decrease the risk of GVHD.
The CBER issued guidance via a July 7, 1993, memorandum titled
"Recommendations Regarding License Amendments and Procedures for
Gamma Irradiation of Blood Products". This document addresses
manufacturing and quality assurance procedures, labeling, other aspects of
production and the use of irradiated blood and blood products. It also
provides background on the effects of gamma radiation on product quality &
stability, guidance on license amendments, record keeping and fatality
reporting. If any questionable procedures for irradiating blood are
encountered during an inspection notify the Division of Inspections and
Surveillance, (301) 594-1191.

RED BLOOD CELLS - RECORDS

Blood banks that prepare washed, frozen, deglycerolized and rejuvenated

RBC's must record the lot numbers of solutions and/or containers. The lot
numbers must be traceable to the unit number.

RED BLOOD CELLS - IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMS

Refer to CBER's December 16, 1992 memorandum on the "Revision of

October 7, 1988, Memorandum Concerning Red Blood Cell Immunization
Programs". This document incorporates a 12 month deferral for donors and
recipients of RBCs for immunization as part of Source Plasma programs. It
also provides additional information on frozen storage, selection of safe
donors and license amendments.

PART D - PLASMA AND RECOVERED PLASMA

Each final container of plasma for transfusion prepared from a whole blood
collection shall be in an integrally attached satellite bag at the time of
collection; it must be transparent and hermetically sealed by a dielectric
sealer, metal clamp, or tightly drawn "white knot;" and its label must be
marked by number or other symbol so that it can be traced back to the donor.

PLASMA PRODUCTS FOR TRANSFUSION

The final product should be stored in a manner which will show evidence of
thawing. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways, e.g., by storing it
upside down after freezing, or by placing a rubber band around the middle of
the container and removing it when the unit has frozen.

RECOVERED PLASMA

Recovered Plasma is an unlicensed source material intended for use in the

manufacture of both licensed and unlicensed products. A license is not

required to manufacture, distribute, or pool recovered plasma.

The short supply provision allows licensed manufacturers to use unlicensed or

other licensed facilities, not a part of their own establishment, to perform the
initial and partial manufacturing step of collecting blood or plasma. The
Recovered Plasma is shipped solely to the licensee for further manufacture
into licensed injectable or noninjectable products. Short supply agreements
are between the licensed fractionator and the collection facility; not with
brokers. The written agreements should be up- dated periodically, and a copy
of this agreement should be on file at the collecting facility. Plasma brokers
may be used as authorized agents and should be identified in the short
supply agreement; refer the name of the broker taking possession of the
Recovered Plasma or other blood components to the home district for followup, i.e., registration and inspection. Short supply agreements are also
required between the registered collection facility and the licensed
manufacturer for other blood components (i.e., RBC's and platelets) intended
for further manufacture into licensed products.

Recovered Plasma does not have an expiration date, therefore, records are to
be kept indefinitely.

PART E - PLATELETS

Due to an increase in the number of post-transfusion sepsis reports, the

seven day dating period for platelets reverted to five days, effective July 2,
1986.

Platelets may be pooled by the blood bank personnel, upon the request of a
physician; however, this is done following designation of the platelets to a
specific recipient, and the resultant pool is not considered a licensed product.
The label of the pooled components should indicate the individual donor
numbers comprising the pool or a pool number that relates it to individual
donor numbers comprising the pool. Final containers must be transparent and
hermetically sealed by a dielectric sealer, metal clamp, or tightly drawn
"white knot." The expiration time for pooled platelets is limited to 4 hours.
Until data are available indicating the effectiveness of the platelets is

maintained for a longer period of time and CBER approval is obtained, the
expiration time of Platelets which are pooled with the aid of a sterile
connecting device is also limited to four hours.

QUALITY CONTROL

Quality control testing must be performed each month platelets are prepared,
using one unit obtained from each of four different donors. Platelet counts
(5.5 x 1010 in 75% of the units tested), Ph determination (>= 6.0) and
measurement of plasma volume should be made at the end of the
storage/dating period.

If quality control testing is not under the supervision and control of the
establishment, determine where the testing is performed and how test results
are reviewed and handled by the establishment.

PART F - CRYOPRECIPITATED AHF (ANTIHEMOPHILIC FACTOR)

There is no volume restriction for preparing Cryoprecipitated AHF. One unit of

plasma may be used as a source of both Platelets and Cryoprecipitated AHF.
Practical experience has demonstrated that using careful production
techniques, an acceptable final product averaging no less than 80 IU can be
manufactured from a single unit.

As with Platelets, Cryoprecipitated AHF may be pooled upon request of a

physician. The label of pooled components should indicate the individual
donor numbers comprising the pool or a pool number that relates the pooled
AHF to the individual donor numbers comprising the pool. There are some
firms manufacturing Cryoprecipitated AHF, Pooled as a licensed product.

Firms may have approval for variances under 21 CFR 640.120 from the
regulations for manufacturing Cryoprecipitated AHF, i.e., preparing
Cryoprecipitated AHF within 15 hours after phlebotomy. The firm should have
written approval from CBER for any variance.

The final container should be transparent and hermetically sealed by a

dielectric sealer, metal clamp, or a tight "white knot."

QUALITY CONTROL

Quality control testing need be performed only in the months in which the
product is prepared. Four units must be tested, but they may be pooled
before the quality control assay is performed.

If quality control testing is not performed under the supervision of the

establishment, see Compliance Policy Guide 7134.16.

PART G - UNIFORM BLOOD LABELING

It is suggested that a label be collected for ready reference in checking the

label items; however, it is important that the labels on units ready for issue
are the labels in actual use and are properly completed. The Uniform Labeling
Guidelines was published August 30, 1985, and the effective date was
September 2, 1986. A revised Guideline for Uniform Blood Labeling is
expected to be published in the near future. Specific label information should
depict reference to viral marker testing results and other tests performed,
e.g. ALT.

CIRCULARS

The circulars are of great importance now that uniform or commonality labels
are in use. The new labels have less information on them so that attention
will be focused on the blood group (ABO and Rh). Information that has been
deleted must be in the circular. The circular of information is an extension of
the container labels and viewed as labeling containing statements of
purported product quality. It should describe each component available for
patient transfusion and give indications and contraindications for use. The
blood supplier should have a plan for distributing the instruction circulars,

assuring that the transfusion services have an adequate supply of the

circulars, and the transfusion service should have a plan for distributing the
circulars to the staff. Licensed blood banks will have submitted their circulars
to CBER for approval. The firm's name and address should be on the circular.

PART H - COMPATIBILITY TESTING AND TRANSFUSION REACTIONS

COMPATIBILITY TESTING

Compatibility testing should be performed in an area sufficiently removed

from other areas to eliminate distraction or the introduction of errors in
testing.

Hospitals may elect not to crossmatch blood for certain surgical procedures
that usually do not require the transfusion of blood. This procedure is referred
to as "type and screen" and requires: 1) determination of the patient's blood
group; 2) tests of patient's serum for unexpected antibodies; and 3)
availability of units of blood in case the patient does need blood during the
operation.

See the December 14, l984, memorandum to blood establishments

"Equivalent Methods for Compatibility Testing."

In addition, other methods for the compatibility testing may also be

appropriate. These methods include, but, are not limited to, the use of patient
specimens older than 48 hours and the use of plasma. Extended periods of
time (e.g., more than three months) for holding test samples should be
discussed with the Division of Inspections and Surveillance if encountered.

ANTIBODY TESTING

If an antibody screen (serum is tested with reagent red cells of known

antigenic makeup to determine if there are antibodies in the serum) was

performed on a unit by the supplier, the hospital or transfusion service need

not repeat it, or perform a minor crossmatch.

RECIPIENT SAMPLE IDENTIFICATION

The recipient's blood sample should be identified by name and number to

insure positive identification. Donor and recipient blood samples should be
saved for at least seven days after transfusion in case there is a need for
retesting.

EMERGENCY TRANSFUSIONS

SOP's should be available to expedite testing for transfusions in a life

threatening emergency. Documentation should include signature of the
requesting physician. If crossmatches are not completed sufficient
documentation should be available.

COMPATIBILITY TEST RECORDS

Records should be kept of receipt of recipient's sample and the ABO and Rh
test results; lot numbers of reagents used for testing; and routine and
emergency crossmatches and direct antiglobulin testing (if done). The vital
signs of a recipient are not required to be on file at the blood bank.

RECIPIENT ADVERSE REACTIONS

The blood bank's SOP manual should list and describe recipient reactions it
considers to be adverse, as well as the procedures to be followed for handling
and investigating these reactions. Recipient reactions usually not considered
serious include low fever and chills of short duration, hives, or urticaria.
Serious adverse recipient reactions usually include hemolysis, bacteremia, or
septicemia.

If the blood bank acts as a transfusion service and receives blood from other
sources, errors in the ABO and Rh grouping should be reported to the
suppliers. Procedures should be established between the suppliers and users
of blood and blood products for monitoring recipient adverse reactions which
occur outside the supplying facility. If the supplier of mistyped blood is a
licensed establishment, it is the responsibility of that establishment to report
any errors to CBER, Office of Compliance. Refer to CBER's memorandum to
industry dated March 20, 1991, titled "Responsibilities of Blood
Establishments Related to Errors & Accidents in the Manufacture of Blood
Components".

PART I - STORAGE, DISTRIBUTION

PHYSICAL STORAGE

Blood products should be stored separately but not necessarily in a different

refrigerator.

Quarantine procedures are a very important area in the control procedures to

prevent the distribution of unsuitable units. Separate storage areas should be
maintained for untested units, for units which are not suitable for use (units
to be retested or repeatedly reactive), and for units which are suitable for
distribution.

Units of blood intended for autologous use should be stored in an area

separate from units for allogeneic use.

STORAGE TEMPERATURE AND RECORDS

All required temperatures should be maintained. Fluctuations outside storage

temperature limits must be documented as to the possible reason, and any
action required to maintain the blood or components at the proper storage
temperature must also be documented.

The product storage temperature after drawing is 1-6oC unless room

temperature platelets are to be prepared, in which case the blood should be
held at 20-24oC. If the blood must be transported from a donor center to the
processing laboratory, it must be placed in temporary storage having
sufficient refrigeration capacity to cool the blood continuously toward a 1-6oC
range, unless platelets are to be prepared. Temperatures below 20oC (68oF)
and above 24oC (75.2oF) reduce platelet function and survival. Room
temperature is usually not below 20oC.

INSPECTION

Blood should be visually inspected at the time of issue for any abnormality,
such as hemoglobin in the plasma from red cell lysis, purple tinged red cells
due to bacterial contamination, or blood clots.

SHIPPING

Facilities should have procedures to show that shipping containers maintain

products at their appropriate temperature.

REISSUE

Blood banks should have written criteria for reissuing blood that is returned
to the blood bank. Studies have shown that the unit of blood sitting at room
temperature usually maintains a temperature of 10oC for 30 minutes. Blood
that has been issued for transfusion may be reissued if it is returned to the
blood bank within 30 minutes, and was kept at room temperature or colder
while out of the blood bank's control.

PART J - PLATELETS, PHERESIS

Refer to the October, l988, memorandum from CBER to all registered blood
establishments "Revised Guideline for the Collection of Platelets, Pheresis."

PART K - COMPUTERIZATION

This section will be used to evaluate USERS of computer systems, and it is

not intended for use in the inspection of software developers.

Refer to the FDA "Draft Guideline for the Validation of Blood Establishment
Computer Systems." This document focuses on computer system definitions,
testing, manuals, maintenance, security, training, audits, FDA references and
reportable activities to the FDA. The final document will supersede the April
6, 1988, memorandum from CBER to all registered blood establishments
"Recommendations for Implementation of Computerization in Blood
Establishments", and the September 8, l989, memorandum "Requirements
for Computerization of Blood Establishments".

The draft guideline should be used as the main guidance document on

computerized systems for registered blood establishments. However, the
document is subject to change, as public comments are being collected and
evaluated for incorporation into the final guideline. Specific regulations which
are currently applicable are 21 CFR 606.60 (Equipment), and 21 CFR 211.68
(Automatic, mechanical, and electrical equipment) for additional information.

If a blood establishment is developing and distributing software that was

originally intended for in-house use, report the number and identity of the
user sites. Blood establishments developing and distributing software for use
in manufacturing blood and blood components should be advised that they
are a device manufacturer and be encouraged to register and list with the
Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

If the software is vendor supplied, identify the developer and version.

Software developers typically specify the software by a version number.
When major changes have occurred in the software, a new number is
assigned. If a version different from the original is in use, the facility should
have procedures to test the software prior to implementation and

documentation that the testing was performed.

A "shared" computer system is a system used by both the blood bank and
other sections of a clinical laboratory or the entire hospital. Security
procedures should have been established regarding limiting access to
confidential blood bank information, e.g., donor deferral records. In addition,
access to blood bank data should be limited so that inadvertent or
unauthorized changes in data do not occur.

When a decision is made regarding donor suitability and/or product quality

based upon the use of and reliance on the data maintained in the computer
system, the computer system is performing a critical function in the
manufacture of blood and blood products. An investigator should determine
how the computer system is used and relied upon in critical manufacturing
steps beginning with the donation and continuing through product release.

A short description with respect to each of the areas controlled by the

computer should be reported, e.g., the firm depends on the computer to
check for permanent and temporary deferrals; updates for the deferral list
are maintained directly by the computer which evaluates all test results
received directly from the test equipment; all component processing is
performed using bar coded labels; quarantine is computer controlled and if
reactive test results are noted, an automatic flag is put on the unit by the
computer so that the unit (components included) cannot be released for
distribution.

TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Allogeneic Donor - A donor who donates a unit of blood to be placed in the

general blood supply. This donor must meet all suitability requirements and
be fully tested.

Anti-A, Anti-B Blood Grouping Reagent - Reagents used to determine blood

group: Anti-A serum, from a group B individual, will agglutinate or clump
group A red cells; Anti-B serum, from a group A individual, will agglutinate or
clump group B red cells.

Anti-D Blood Grouping Reagent - Reagent used to determine Rho(D) factor.

Serum from an Rh negative individual who has been exposed to the D
antigen by transfusion or pregnancy and has formed the antibody to the D
antigen, or monoclonal antibodies which are prepared by hybridoma
techniques.

Antibody Screen - Donor or patient serum is tested with reagent red cells of
known antigenic makeup; the purpose is to determine if the donor or patient
has antibodies in his or her serum.

Autologous Donor - A donor who donates a unit of blood (predeposit) for

his/her own use.

Biosafety Level 2 - Centers for Disease Control and National Institutes of

Health, Department of Health and Human Services, published a booklet
entitled Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories which
recommends precautions which laboratory employees should follow. The
booklet is available through DHHS publication No. (CDC) 88-8395, 94-95, 2nd
Edition, Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, l988. A copy of the
chapter concerning biosafety level 2 precautions can also be obtained from
I&SS, (301) 295-8191. In addition, the AABB Technical Manual summarizes
Biosafety Level 2 precautions.

Cryoprecipitated AHF (Antihemophilic Factor) - the cold-insoluble portion of

plasma remaining after FFP has been thawed between 1o and 6oC.
Cryoprecipitated AHF (Cryo) is used to treat patients with hemophilia A, von
Willibrand's disease and hypofibrinogenemia. Cryo contains fibrinogen and
Factor VIII, a procoagulant present in normal plasma but deficient in the
plasma of patients with hemophilia A.

Directed Donor - A donor who donates a unit of blood for a specific patient.
These donors should meet all suitability requirements and be tested as
allogeneic donors. Occasionally, a directed donation may not meet all
suitability and testing requirements, in which case, the patient's physician
may make a medical decision to use the directed donation.

Du - A variant or weak form of the D antigen; no Anti-Du reagent exists, but

cells are tested for the variant by an indirect antiglobulin method, or the
equivalent, such as a special channel on the Kontron Groupamatic, Olympus
PK700, or Gamma STS-M automated blood groupers.

ELISA Screening Test - ELISA (also referred to as EIA) is an acronym for

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This assay utilizes the principle of a
solid phase, e.g., beads or microtiter plate wells, coated with antigen or
antibody and an indicator reagent, antibody or antigen, respectively, to which
an enzyme has been conjugated or "linked."

A typical ELISA test such as that used for the detection of antibody to HIV
utilizes beads or microtiter wells coated with disrupted, inactivated HIV
agents and goat anti-human Ig conjugated or "linked" to an enzyme, which on
incubation with the appropriate substance, will produce a color.

When an unknown serum or plasma sample is tested for the presence of

antibodies, it is placed in the antigen coated wells, the antibody in the
sample links to the antigen on the solid-phase carrier and is detected by the
anti-human antibodies conjugated to the enzyme. Possible results include:

Initially reactive - Initial EIA test is reactive.

Repeatedly reactive - One or both duplicate EIA retests is/are reactive.

Negative - Initial EIA test is non-reactive or if reactive, both repeat duplicate

EIA's are nonreactive.

Positive - Repeatedly reactive EIA test, Western Blot (WB) positive.

WB indeterminate - Western blot neither positive nor negative.

EIA indeterminate - Repeatedly reactive EIA test, Western blot negative or

indeterminate.

Hematocrit - The percentage of red blood cells present in the whole blood
volume.

Hemoglobin - The main component of the red blood cell - an iron containing
protein which serves as the vehicle for the transportation of oxygen and
carbon dioxide.

Major Crossmatch - Patient's serum tested with donor's red cells; the purpose
is to determine if the patient has an antibody to an antigen found on the
donor's cells.

Minor Crossmatch - Donor's serum tested with patient's red cells; the purpose
is to determine if the donor has an antibody to an antigen found on the
patient's cells.

Plasma - Separated from red blood cells within 26 days after phlebotomy
(within 40 days after phlebotomy when CPDA-1 solution is used as the
anticoagulant). Stored at -18oC or colder within six hours after separation
(see instruction booklet). Dating period is five years. Platelets and/or
Cryoprecipitated AHF may be removed from product.

1. Liquid plasma: Separated from red blood cells within 26 days after
phlebotomy (within 40 days after phlebotomy when CPDA-1 solution is used
as the anticoagulant). Stored at 1-6oC for a total of 26 days (40 days when
CPDA-1 is used).

2. Fresh Frozen Plasma: Collected with minimal damage to tissues. Separated

from red blood cells and frozen solid within six hours. Some manufacturers
have received approval for their collection systems to allow room
temperature storage before plasma separation to be extended to eight hours

(see instruction booklet). Stored at -18oC or colder for up to one year.

3. Platelet Rich Plasma: Collected with minimal damage to tissues. Separated

from red blood cells within six hours after phlebotomy (see instruction
booklet). Procedure must produce a product with at least 250,000
platelets/microliter. Stored at 1-6oC for 72 hours, or at 20-24oC with gentle
agitation for five days in approved containers.

4. Recovered Plasma: Obtained from single units of expired or unexpired

whole blood, outdated plasma, or as a by-product in blood component
preparation. For further manufacturing use only. Must be able to relate
plasma unit to donor. Donors must meet donor suitability requirements and
each unit must be tested for infectious agents, as required.

Plasmapheresis - A process in which red blood cells are separated from the
plasma of a blood donor and returned to the donor's circulatory system.

Plateletpheresis - The removal of platelets from a donor, followed by the

return of the red blood cells and sometimes the plasma to the donor.

Specific gravity of whole blood - 1.053 gm/ml for blood containing 12.5 gm/dl
of hemoglobin. The following calculation is used to convert volume to weight:
1.053 gm/ml X 500 ml = 526.5 gm.

SOP - Standard operating procedures.

STS - Serological test for syphilis, e.g., VDRL, RPR, and the treponema-based
hemagglutination test on the Olympus automated blo

[ this presentation is truncated exactly in the form as presented by FDA on

the internet at http://www.fda.gov/ora/inspect_ref/igs/blood.html ]

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