Surface disinfection of packed red blood cells with 70% ethanol

No data or recommendations are available on feasibility of surface disinfection of blood bags, but some circumstances can make such procedures inevitable. Impact of immersion of blood bags in 70% ethanol for 30 min was investigated with respect to alcohol penetration and changes of hemolysis parameters in the product, and bag material changes influencing material stability and composition. After immersion ethanol concentration in blood bags was below detection limit. Hemolysis parameters did not differ between blood products that had been exposed to ethanol and a control group. Inner surface of the bag material was unchanged according to our infrared spectrometry results. Also endurance testing showed no altered results. We conclude that immersion of blood bags in 70% ethanol for surface disinfection is a safe procedure for the quality of the blood product and the bag material.