Quality Assessment of Platelet Concentrate Preparations at the Nairobi Regional Blood Transfusion Centre in Kenya

Abstract

Background: Evaluation of platelet concentrate was based on platelet volume, count, residual WBC and Hemoglobin. The study findings were compared with standards set by National Blood Transfusion Service (NRBTC). Objective: To evaluate platelet concentrates quality prepared at NRBTC. Study Design:This was a descriptive cross-sectional study was adopted. Setting: The present study was conducted at NRBTC. Subject: Nighty one (91) platelet concentrates were selected for the study. Results: Of the samples analyzed, 95.6% (87/91), 79.1% (72/91) met the criteria on platelet count and residual white blood cells respectively.Of note, all the 91 sampled platelet concentrate fell within the NRBTS volume criteria. Conclusion: The findings reveals that the quality parameters assessed in this study from the platelet concentrate were not met. Therefore, there is need to review the quality assurance protocol.Focus should be directed on the platelet concentrates preparation by plasma centrifugation to attain the desirable standards set by NBTS.