Blood products such as whole blood, platelets, red cells, or plasma require to be stored and transported at specific temperatures, because blood, being a biological substance, must be kept cold to reduce bacterial contamination and to prolong its life. (WHO, The blood cold chain: guide to the selection and procurement of equipment and accessories, 2002)
Within the blood cold chain process, there are specific activities in place to produce a result: safe and useable blood and blood components. Three main activities are involved in the blood cold chain process: storage, maintenance of equipment and packing and transportation: which includes equipment, packaging and materials needed to move blood components safely through the supply chain.
Global Cold Chain Solutions has developed and validated to extreme summer and winter conditions a packaging #shipper to transport blood products safely and within the specified temperature limits. Using Vacuum insulated panels (VIP), which provide the highest thermal insulation quality available, unique PCM gel bricks (only one pre-conditioning temperature) and a corflute outer case for increased reusability and durability, with both materials easy to clean and disinfect for continuous use with the blood cold chain.
