A Prospective Study to Determine the Frequency of Bacterial Contamination of Platelets

Bacterial contamination of transfusion products is a long standing problem which includes donor bacteremia, contamination during the whole blood collection procedure, contamination of the collection pack and contamination during the blood processing procedure. The purpose of this study is to know the incidence of bacterial contamination of platelets and how to overcome it. During January 2009 to December 2010, 5,000 units of platelets concentrate were collected and 5 ml of platelet concentrate was sent for sterility test. A total of 8 units were reported as bacterially contaminated. Bacterial contamination can be reduced by better skin disinfection, collection of blood with a diversion pouch set, testing for bacteria and potentially the use of safe & effective pathogen reduction technologies and when available.