QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF PLATELET CONCENTRATE PREPARED AT A TERTIARY CENTRE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The nee d for platelet transfusion has increased at the University College Hospital (U.C.H ) Ibadan , Nigeria because of improved patient care and use of intensive therapeutic regimen associated with bone marrow aplasia . Therefor e there is a need to assess the quality of the platelet concentrate prepared in our environment with a view to improving the quality o f service s available , consequently this study was carried out. Fifty platelet concentrate s were assessed for p H , swirling index , volume , platelet count, WBC count and red cell count. All the concentrate preparations were within acceptable p H value o f 7.25. T h e average volume was 18.52mls/bag . The average platelet count per concentrate was 41.7±39. 5 x 107L. Thirty-five percent (35% ) o f the platelet concentrates had a value > 55 x 107L. White blood cell count (WBC ) < 12 xlOT L was seen 4 9 % of the platelet concentrates prepared . Forty percent (40%)o f t h e platelet concentrate had a red blood cell count (RB C count) > 12x107"L wit h 30 % not having red cell contamination. Swirling test w a s positive in 7 2 % of the platelet concentrate units . The results from this study point to the nee d to improve the quality of the platelet concentrate s being prepared in our blood bank in order to get maximum therapeutic values. There is also a need for regular quality control of the platelet concentrate being prepare d in our blood bank .