Bacterial contamination of blood products is estimated to occur at a rate of 1 in every 500,000 units of platelets and 1 in every 15,000 units of PRBCs.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Bacterial contamination of blood products is more common in platelets than in PRBCs (Packed Red Blood Cells) due to the storage conditions of platelets, which are stored at room temperature, providing a more conducive environment for bacterial growth. The estimated rate of bacterial contamination is higher in platelets than the figures provided, with estimates varying but generally being significantly higher than 1 in every 500,000 units. For PRBCs, the risk is lower due to refrigerated storage, but the exact rate can vary and might not be as frequent as 1 in every 15,000 units, depending on the source.

Bacterial Contamination of Blood Products Is Estimated to Occur at a Rate