Washed RBC

[vuphan86]

I know that washed RBC is the process of removing debris or dirty blood inside the body. I tried to look up the websites about when do we need to do it? Who can be qualified to do it? but nothing came up to answer my questions. I've never heard about washed RBC before and it makes me curious to find out. One more question is that where can i observe the procedure? I am appreciated to anyone can fill in the blank for me.

[vuphan86]

thank you for all of you.

[Mavrick, BSN, RN]

Blood is "washed" using cell saving techniques during surgery to allow for an autologous retransmission to reduce blood loss and potential for adverse reaction to large volumes of donated blood or a potential increased risk of developing antibodies.

I get the "why" cell saver is used but not the "what". What is removed in the "washing"?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I get the "why" cell saver is used but not the "what". What is removed in the "washing"?

If it's the blood suctioned from the sterile field, then pretty much anything except the RBCs- microscopic tissue debris (larger is caught by the filter), irrigation fluids, etc.

If it's banked blood, then it's the preservatives that the blood is stored with, as well as any leukocytes that remain.

Still a completely different idea than what the OP is talking about with the youtube video.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I know that washed RBC is the process of removing debris or dirty blood inside the body. I tried to look up the websites about when do we need to do it? Who can be qualified to do it? but nothing came up to answer my questions. I've never heard about washed RBC before and it makes me curious to find out. One more question is that where can i observe the procedure? I am appreciated to anyone can fill in the blank for me.

I am confused about what you are asking.....Washed RBC's are units of whole blood or RBCs that have been washed with 1 to 2 liters of saline manually or in an automated cell washer. Washed units contain 10 to 20% less RBCs than the original units. Therefore, a greater number of washed units may be required to alleviate symptoms. These units have a hematocrit of 70% and have been depleted of 99% of the plasma proteins and 85% of the leukocytes. The residual potassium concentration is 0.2 mEq/L. Other RBC metabolites are almost entirely removed. Washing also removes cytokines that cause febrile reactions. Saline washed RBCs must be used within 24 h after washing since the original collection bag has been entered, which breaks the hermetic seal and increases the possibility of bacterial contamination....Learn the clinical indications for transfusion of washed red cells | ClinLab Navigator

Indications for Saline Washed Blood Components

1. Febrile transfusion reactions not prevented by leukocyte reduction.
   
2. IgA deficiency with documented anti-IgA antibodies and IgA deficient donor not available
   
3. History of a previous anaphylactic transfusion reaction.
   
4. Severe urticarial reactions not prevented by pre-transfusion antihistamines.
   
5. Potassium depletion of units irradiated more than 12 hours before that will be transfused to a neonate or fetus.
   

Administration of IgA containing products to patients with anti-IgA results in anaphylaxis. Washing red cell and platelet components is one modality to prevent anaphylaxis, while transfusion of blood components from IgA deficient donors is another. Most regional blood centers maintain a registry of IgA deficient donors.

Irradiated components have elevated levels of plasma potassium. Washing units with saline can decrease potassium levels. However, the best policy is to irradiate units immediately before transfusion.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Medscape: Medscape Access Washed RBC's