Since lack of platelet swirl is associated with decreased platelet viability, I'm curious how many check for platelet swirl before issuing platelets? If so, how do you document this check and do you discard those which do not demonstrate swirling? We only purchase SDPL's and pre-pooled LR platelets, but some do not demonstrate swirling.

Our policy (computer and downtime) requires that a visual inspection of any product be performed and found acceptable upon receipt of the product and at time of issue. Our Visual Inspection procedure for platelet products has platelete swirl as one of the main criteria- and in it's absence, those platelets should not be accepted into invenotry, or issued to a patient since the visual inspection at th\at point is considered to have failed.

We will not distribute a platelet product if it does not swirl.

Upon issue we have the comment visual inspection OK or Not acceptable. If the swirl is not there the product should be discarded.

Suhu,

when you use the term "swirl" here do you mean that we are not seeing visible platelet agglutinates in the platelet product? I am not familiar with the use of this term here.

rrvakin~

Platelet swirling can be obseved by holding the platelet product up to a light source and gently rocking the bag back and forth. Normal platelets have a discoid shape which refract light resulting in a shimmering, swirling pattern in the platelet plasma. If they loose the discoid shape, such as when activated, they will not reflect light and there is no shimmer or swirl observed. Hope this helps.

I don't know if this will work, but I have an old video clip of a platelet swirling. It may be hard to see, but watch around the edges and the bottom of the bag.

Edited September 8, 201014 yr by heathervaught
hahaha, it worked!

In rep of Ireland blood centre we always check swirling throughout the production process (pools and Apheresis) and just before issue to hospitals, most hospitals also check and would return if no visible sign of swirling. Non swirling platelets are rejected and discarded to QC lab who do platelet count. Worth noting that most have platelet count within specs.