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Thanks to technology, vendors of blood collection kits are able to offer products that are room temperature stable, making blood collecting convenient. However, any observed temperature fluctuation outside the room temperature range must be documented as to the possible reason and any action taken to maintain the blood sample or components at room temperature must also be documented. Donor temperature, on the day of blood collection, should not be greater or equal to 99.6°F/37.5°C. A donor with body temperature of 99°F/37.2°C for more than a 10-day period should be evaluated before blood collection is allowed.

After the blood is drawn, the sample storage temperature is to be kept at 33.8 - 42.8°F /
1 - 6°C unless room temperature platelets are to be prepared, in which case the blood should be held at 68 - 75.2°F /20 - 24°C. If the blood must be transported from a donor center to the processing laboratory, it must be placed in temporary storage having sufficient refrigeration capacity to cool the blood continuously toward a 33.8 - 42.8°F /
1 - 6°C range, unless platelets are to be prepared. Temperatures below 68°F/20°C and above 75.2°F/24°C reduce platelet function and survival. Ambient room temperature should be kept above 68°F/20°C.

Commercial blood establishments generally purchase central temperature monitoring system to monitor and record temperatures in blood storage units. However, periodic performance checks comparing calibrated, precision, 3rd party thermometers, such as those manufactured and marketed by DeltaTRAK, Inc., a Pleasanton, California portal environmental test instrument supplier, to system readings should be performed to assure the system is functioning accurately.

For leftover blood contaminated waste materials, the FDA advises that state and local health and safety laws should be followed. All blood contaminated waste should be autoclaved (A minimum of 251°F/121.5°C for 60 minutes by saturated steam at a pressure of 15 atmospheres) or incinerated. The blood organization’s SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) should contain specific language for disposal of contaminated waste.

When it comes to re-issuing blood that has not used and is being returned to the blood bank, there is a need to have written criteria. Historical data indicate that the unit of blood sitting at room temperature usually maintains a temperature of 50°F/10°C for 30 minutes. Previously issued transfusion blood may be redistributed if it is returned to the blood bank within 30 minutes and was kept at room temperature or colder while out of the blood bank's control. All blood banks are having procedures written for shipping blood products showing the type of devices used and the methodology applied for monitoring and reporting blood container temperatures.

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