How to calculate expiry date of Blood products. Collection date is day zero or day one? For example if collection date is 16 January expiry falls on 20 or 21?

I believe the date of collection is day "0." But, better double check with someone who works in a blood center.

If collection date is Jan 16: 35d out dat is 2/20; 42d outdate is 2/27.

If collection date is Jan 16: 35d out dat is 2/20; 42d outdate is 2/27.

Thanks Liz and David

Correct Liz and David, as u calculate the collection day is Day zero one day will be complete next day, so we start count from 17 and 42 days falls on 2/27.

We had a visitor last week and he objected our count. He started count from 16 Jan (Collection Date) and told platelet (5 days) shall expire on 20 Jan, whereas I said 21 Jan. I did not find it in the books. Do u have a reference?

The next day is day 1: if you draw on the 1st the out date for plts is the 6th (5d od). We have calendars form the blood companies that provide this info (but I always calculate manually just to verify.

I don't know if these exist anymore, but one of the companies used to hand out calendars that listed the exp. date of each of the different anticoagulants, in a different color in the space for a given date (i.e. looks like a regular calendar; in square with today's date, it would have in small print in a corner, 2-3 other dates listed which represented the expiration of RBCs drawn today, based on the type of anticoagulant used; a legend would define that for you). Wish I could recall the company, but perhaps someone else out there knows? Maybe someone that works at a Donor Facility that makes components?

Brenda Hutson, MT(ASCP)SBB

The Red Cross and Ortho have this info on their calendars. I still verify the dates when I draw a donor.

Ah, thanks.....2 brains are always better than 1!!!!!!!!

Brenda Hutson

The Red Cross and Ortho have this info on their calendars. I still verify the dates when I draw a donor.

You could print out the calender from otho's website.

you can download from here: http://www.fenwalinc.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Product_Dating_Calendar_2012.pdf