Why wash red blood cells?

1. To remove plasma, plasma protein, microaggregates, cytokines, and unwanted antibodies.

2. Washed RBCs reduces incidence of febrile urticaria, and may prevent anaphylactic reaction.

3. To prevent allergic reaction to plasma protein and anaphylactic shock in IgA deficient patients that have developed Anti-IgA.

Two Methods of preparing Washed RBC:
1.  Manual Washing - This uses 0.9% saline to wash RBCs by manual centrifugation.   This method however is much more expensive than automated washing.
2. Automated Cell Processor - It uses 0.9% saline to wash the RBCs in a series of continues washes. Processing bag- where RBCs and saline are added	Blood Cell Processorr Cobe 2991 Model 1

The final product is a unit of washed RBC

Storage / expiration of Washed RBCs:

• The product expires 24 hours form the start of the procedure because the preparation is an open system.
• The cells can be stored at 1-6C.
• If stored at 20-24C the expiration is 4 hours.