CBBS: What is the acceptable variance for a Quality Control Weight that is labeled 450 grams?

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What is the acceptable variance for a Quality Control Weight that is labeled 450 grams?

A California blood banker needs help. Her center has a Donormatic whole blood collection instrument made by Lifeline Instruments, Inc. The device mixes (rocks) and weighs the blood during collection. The weighing mechanism on the unit is tared to account for the weight of the bags. Her facility was supplied a 450 gm weight with the instrument that is also tared for the weight of the blood bags. She says that her facility used to send these weights back to the company for annual certification. However, she reports that the company has gone out of business and apparently did not notify her facility since she has been unable to reach the Lifeline Instruments by phone or Internet search. She can get the weights certified by another vendor, but she needs to know what the true weight and acceptable variance is for the weight labeled 450 gm. Can anyone provide the answer to this question?

ADDENDUM Nov. 9, 2001

1. Response from Lifeline Instruments: The owner of Lifeline instruments, Mr. Mark Berry, contacted the e-network forum to advise that Lifeline Instruments, Inc. is in fact still in business. His company was in fact formerly in California, but moved to Oregon in July of 1998. Here is his response: "I'm responding to the question regarding the 450ml weight applicable to the Donormatic Automated Blood Scale. First, Lifeline Instruments is still doing business and is currently manufacturing the Donormatic and related verification weights. Next, the 450 ml weight which sounds like it was supplied with the Donormatic should weigh 471.75 grams, +/- 0.3 grams. The accuracy verification on the Donormatic should be +/- 2 ml's of the set amount on the Donormatic. Hopefully this will clear up any questions the inquiring blood banker has. Please pass our current address along to her and the entire e-Network Forum".

Lifeline Instruments, Inc.
2438 S.E. First Street
Redmond, OR 97756
(541)923-2700 (Phone)
(541)923-2701 Fax)

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Ira A. Shulman, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Editor & Moderator

Posted: November 8, 2001

Addenda: Nov. 9, 2001

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