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Methods for ensuring adherence of labels applied to frozen blood products

A colleague in Western New England comments that over the years many innovative methods have been employed to assure that a label is properly attached to a frozen blood product. Currently, in order for the inquiring colleague's blood collection service to get a label to reliably attach to a unit of FFP, they apply a hot pack to the label surface to warm it enough to allow the adhesive to stick. A technologist has suggested the use of a hair dryer instead of the hot pack. The inquiring colleague would welcome comments and suggestions on other methods used in the field for applying labels to frozen products, so that the labels stick and do not fall off.

The following response was received.

ADDENDA Aug. 26, 2003

1. A colleague in Boston reports that they have experienced the same problem with labels not sticking well to frozen blood products. She reports that they have found that wiping the surface of the frozen product with gauze, then applying the label with pressure by holding the label against the product with one's hand has worked very well. The heat from the hand seems to be enough to make the label stick. The Bostonian wonders if the inquiring colleagues use of a hot pack or hairdryer would cause some of the product to thaw.

2. In response to the Bostonian (#1 above) the inquiring colleague from Western New England reports that the hot pack is applied for 1-2 seconds to the base label (not directly to the frozen unit). Once the ABO label is warmed up it is then applied, and pressure is applied with the the heel of the hand to the ABO label for 1-2 seconds. The Western New England colleague is not aware of any scientific studies on the effect of this procedure on labile coagulation factors, but is convinced that the effect would be minimal as there is no visible thawing, and the area heat is applied to is approximately 2x2 inches, which in the colleague's opinion is hardly a major concern in a 250 mL FFP.
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Ira A. Shulman, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Editor & Moderator
Posted: August 25, 2003

Addenda: Aug. 26, 2003

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