METHOD TO USE EKTACYTOMETRY TO IMPROVE STORED RED BLOOD CELL OR WHOLE BLOOD PRODUCT UTILIZATION

摘要

A method for assessing the quality degradation of an RBC or whole blood unit, the method comprising: 1) using an ektacytometer to generate erythrocyte deformability data for the RBC or whole blood unit; 2) analyzing the erythrocyte deformability data to assess the quality degradation of the RBC or whole blood unit; 3) providing the erythrocyte deformability data to medical personnel; 4) correlating the erythrocyte deformability data with a clinical outcome of a patient that has used the RBC or whole blood unit; and 5) incorporating the erythrocyte deformability data into subsequent assessments of quality degradation of RBC and whole blood units. This method would provide clinicians with actual data on RBC quality when making decisions about which and how many units to use for transfusion of a given patient. Moreover, deploying the approach throughout the supply chain will improve distribution, planning, and inventory control decisions.