What is the shelf life of PVC blood bags
Basic Shelf Life Regulation
As stipulated in the Plastic Containers for Human Blood and Blood Components—Part 1: Conventional Blood Bags (GB 14232.1-2004/ISO 3826-1:2003), the storage life of blood bags is 2 years, referring to the period from the date of sterilization to the expiration date. Beyond the expiration date, blood bags must not be used for blood collection.
Usage Notes
After blood collection, the validity period of the blood bag aligns with the storage period of the blood product. For example:
- Suspended red blood cells: 35 days
- Fresh frozen plasma: 1 year
- Frozen plasma: 4 years
- Frozen red blood cells: 10 years
If the blood storage period exceeds the validity period of the blood bag (e.g., frozen plasma), it is possible in clinical practice for the blood bag to expire while the blood product remains valid. This is normal and does not affect blood quality.
Quality Control Requirements
Before blood collection, inspect the blood bag’s appearance and expiration date to ensure it is within the valid period.
The blood bag must be marked with both the expiration date provided by the manufacturer and the expiration date of the blood product indicated by the blood collection and supply institution.
In summary, the factory shelf life of PVC blood bags is 2 years, but actual use requires comprehensive judgment based on the storage period of the blood product.
