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Quality Control of Equipments

You are here : Home/ Blood Bank Zone/ Quality Asssurance in Blood Transfusion Service/ 3. Quality Control of Equipments

3. Quality Control of Equipments

Besides assessment of function immediately after installation and repair of equipment, day to day checks in routine use of equipment are necessary.

Equipment requirements :-

All the equipment in blood transfusion laboratory should meet mandatory specifications.
A written record of periodic function checks and maintenance on each piece of equipment should be mandatory.
A preventive maintenance should be planned for trouble free operation.
Uninterrupted power supply should be maintained for all the equipment with efficient back-up system.
Annual maintenance contract with manufacturers and suppliers should be obtained.

Guidelines for quality control of equipment in blood transfusion service

Equipment	Maintenance Required
1. Refrigerator for storage of blood	Read recording temp chart frequent at least once a day (correct temp. range 2-6^oC) Test alarm system weekly. Test accuracy of alarm cut-in temp., once in 4 months Check counter temp inside the cabinet with precision thermometer periodically.
2. Deep Freeze	Similar to blood storage refrigerator. Check accurate temp by thermometer kept inside the cabinet, twice a day.
3. Bench centrifuge	Check accuracy of speed and time with precision rpm meter (inchometer & stop watch every three months Check motor brushes at regular intervals
4. Refrigerated Centrifuge	Check accuracy of speed & time with tachometer and stop watch every three months Check temp inside the centrifuge bowl by a temp. tester with the lid closed & head stationary. Check motor brushes every three months.
5. Water bath	Check temp 2-3 times a day Check thermometer accuracy periodically Change the water every week using only distilled water Send the discarded water for culture to rule out any fungus/microbe contaminating the water bath Use the stirrer for uniform maintenance of the temperature If no stirer is attached check temp. at diagonal end of bath periodically to ensure reasonable degree of uniformity.
6. Cell Washer	Check shortly before use Check speed & time monthly Check function 6 monthly Check temp. monthly Check volume dispensed by cell washer monthly
7. Incubator	Check the temp. 2-3 times in a day Check accuracy of temp. periodically
8. pH meter	Two point calibration (check control solution pH 4-7 : 7-10) before each time of use Full maintenance every six months
9. Weighing balance	Check the sensitivity of electronic balances using known weights once a week Full maintenance every six months
10. ELISA reader	Check the reproductivility of results every 3 months Calibration graph six monthly Full maintenance every six months Check the filters for any fungal growth every 3 months Keep the filters in the dessicator
11. Autopipettes	Calibrate the pipettes regularly using mercury or water.
12. Whole blood collection equipment Vacuum agitator Non-vaccum agitator Balance Scales for weight	Check with known weights daily/day of use
13. Microhaernatocrit	Check minimum packing time once every 3 month
14. Platelet incubator	Check temp and agitator Check speed agitator daily
15. Thawing device	Check temp daily or day of use Checks for cleanliness and replace water when contaminated