Comparative Analysis of Haemolysis Levels in Packed Red Blood Cells Prepared via Whole Blood Settling versus Centrifugation Methods: A Study at the Zonal Blood Bank, Mbeya, Tanzania

Introduction: The term "blood transfusion" describes the safe administration of blood and blood products into a recipient's vein, including packed red blood cells, plasma, platelets, and whole blood. It is necessary for blood transfusion services to offer patients who need blood products safe and affordable blood and blood components for transfusion. Transfusions of red cell concentrate (RCC) are an essential part of contemporary medicine and are administered to hospitalized patients. When PRBC is stored, changes occur called red blood cell storage lesions which affect the quality of packed red blood cells. Objective:To evaluate the haemolysis status of packed red blood cells prepared by the whole blood settling method and centrifugation method obtained in a zonal blood bank at -Mbeya, Tanzania. Methods: A quasi-experimental study design was adopted, blood units were selected, and a complete blood count (CBC) was done at day zero. Blood units were divided into two groups of 16 units each for centrifugation method and sedimentation method for PRBC. Data were recorded, entered into Excel and analysed with SPSS version 23 for statistical interpretation. The analysed data were presented in the form of tables, charts and line graphs. Results: In this study, from day 7th both methods resulted in minimal haemolysis, with mean hemolysis percentages of 0.00 ± 0.03% for centrifugation and 0.00 ± 0.00% for settling method, by the 28th day storage period, the hemolysis levels increased to 0.52 ± 0.12% in the centrifugation and 0.39 ± 0.10% in the settling. Conclusion: Haemolysis in the settling method is lower than in the centrifugation method. The study found that centrifugation resulted in slightly higher hemolysis compared to settling, but the difference was not significant enough to affect the clinical efficacy of the transfusions.Highlight that differences were statistically insignificant.