Red blood cells (RBCs) are the most common type of blood cell.  They give blood its red colour and are the body’s main means of delivering oxygen to body tissues and of removing carbon dioxide through the lungs.  The BC Transfusion Medicine Advisory Group has developed the following guidelines related to RBC transfusion.

Guidelines for RBC Transfusion (November 2003)

Guidelines for Blood Component Substitution for Adult Patients (updated June 2008)

Indications for Blood Component Irradiation (January 2003)

To minimize RBC waste, the BC PBCO coordinates a provincial RBC redistribution program, in which small and medium-sized hospitals send blood that is nearing its expiry date (7-10 days before expiry) to large hospitals in the Vancouver area and Victoria, where the blood is more likely to be used.  Over 7,000 units of RBCs are redistributed annually.  This program has helped to reduce the provincial RBC expiry rate from 12.5% in 1997 to 1.9% in 2007/08.

RBC Redistribution Manual (2010)

Job Aid: Packing Configuration for Shipment of Red Cells with Ice Packs Stored at –11°C

Job Aid: Packing Configuration for Shipment of Red Cells with Ice Packs Stored at –20°C

Education Tool: Redistribution Powerpoint Presentation 2010

Validation of Shipping Boxes for RBC Redistribution (2006)

Summit Freezer Instruction Manual

For more information about the provincial RBC redistribution program, please call the PBCO or email us.

Trends in RBC Utilization in British Columbia AABB Poster Presentation (October 2009)