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Blood Storage and Distribution: The Role of Ulm in Meeting Nationwide Demand for Blood Resources
Ulm, a small city with a big impact! Every day, approximately 1,600 blood donations are processed here, destined for hospitals across Germany. The unassuming building of the DRK's blood donation service in Ulm is where countless lives are saved. So, let's take a look behind the scenes of this 'blood donation factory' on World Blood Donor Day.
The morning sun rises, and 8 am strikes. In the Ulm Eselsberg, hands with blue gloves are working diligently: overnight boxes full of blood donations arrived, contributed by residents from all over Baden-Württemberg and Hesse. On the brink of exploring each bag, let's enter the Institute for Clinical Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics (IKT). Here, the blood samples are scrupulously examined for diseases such as hepatitis and HIV, then divided into its essential components. The atmosphere is sterile, void of any open blood, ensuring utmost safety during the process.
Unraveling the layers: How blood donations are separated
The division is achieved by a centrifuge, which may remind you of a top-loading washing machine. But, unlike your laundry, the blood bags are spun at around 3,500 revolutions per minute within this white, turquoise flip-lid whirligig. After 20 minutes, three palpable layers emerge: Red blood cells settle at the bottom, white blood cells reside atop them, and the blood plasma, the lightest component, floats on the surface.
The blood donations then embark on a journey through a so-called Compomat, a machine that deftly siphons the different components into separate bags without a single bag-opening. The bags are clamped, scanned, and provided with tubes. Through these tubes, plasma ascends, while the red blood cells descend. An airtight process prevents air and contaminants from contaminating the blood components.
Blood platelets: The celestial warriors of our blood
In the original bag, a mixture of blood platelets and white blood cells remain. These still need to be filtered before delivery to a leukemia patient. Red blood cells are crucial in cases of anemia or massive blood loss in accidents, while the plasma goes to those whose blood doesn't clot or clots poorly.
The blood plasma goes into cold storage and quarantine for several months before being delivered to a hospital. Red blood cells are stored at a cool temperature for about 42 days, while blood platelets are stored for up to five days. The reality of blood components is that they all have limited lifespans, necessitating a constant need for replenishment.
Blood Donor Day: A call to save lives, even in the summer
Even in the sunniest summer days, the demand for donations remains high. Kristina Hölig, the president of the German Society for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohaematology, underlines the importance of blood donations during her World Blood Donor Day appeal: "Each individual donation matters, especially during the summer months."
With the sun's rays shining brightly, more outdoor activities increase the risk of accidents. Moreover, donations are required for operations, illnesses, and cancer treatments. As summer arrives, blood banks encounter a consistent challenge: not enough donations.
At the IKT warehouse, the final products remain, sorted by blood type. Distribution routes span over 130 facilities across Germany, including hospitals and research institutions working to develop revolutionary blood products. In Ulm, the team eagerly awaits the influx of blood donations to carry them through the summer.
(Note: The 'Compomat' machine is a proprietary device used in blood donation centers. Its details are not entirely disclosed, but it plays a role in automating blood component separation and enhancing the quality and safety of blood products.)
Science and health-and-wellness are integral parts of the blood donation process in Ulm. The Institute for Clinical Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics (IKT) is a center where blood samples are thoroughly examined for medical-conditions such as hepatitis and HIV, ensuring the donated blood is safe for use. Moreover, the Compomat, a unique piece of medical equipment, separates blood into its essential components, providing plasma for those with poor clotting, and red blood cells for anemia or massive blood loss cases.
