Does anyone have a standard that you use for how long Blood Bank antisera and reagent red cells can be kept out of storage?  The manufacturer's inserts for Immucor state to store at     1-10 C when not in use, but nothing in terms of the maximum time refrigerated reagents can be kept at room temp.  We rotate our racks every 8 hours. 

Thanks for your input!

Hello

So, to my knowledge and 3 decades of experience, there is no specific Standard that will specifically tell you how long reagents can be stored outside of the environment suggested by the manufacturer of that reagent.

There are a few relevant standards on reagent receipt, use, handling, and storage in the AABB 32ND edition, pgs. 7, 10, 12, 15, 35, 39.  Page 10 also refers to reagents meeting or exceeding FDA...

One standard - (AABB 5.1.8) Handling, Storage, and Transportation only states that you shall have a process to ensure that critical materials (including reagents) are handled, stored, and transported in a manner that prevents damage, limits deterioration,...

Bottom line, the manufacturer in most cases are very specific about what not to do ( do not freeze, dilute, or use beyond expiration date.), and will not entertain a question about how long one can leave the reagents outside of what they have already stated (store at 1 to 10 C when not in use).

In the old days, we use to have working reagent racks out all day, with tiny cool packs embedded in the racks.  The concern was really with the reagent red cells growing bacteria causing a lot of false positive antibody screens.  Sorry for long email. I hope you get something out of this.

Connie