91063-8

LOINC code 91063-8 identifies "Bacteria identified in Platelets from Blood product unit by Aerobe culture". One of the most common causes of transfusion-related deaths is bacterial infection due to contaminated blood products. Platelets are affected more than other blood products because the temperature at which platelets are stored (20 to 24 degrees Celsius) allows bacterial growth, whereas storage temperatures of other products, such as packed red blood cells (RBC) that are stored at 1 to 6 degrees Celsius, do not. [PMID: 28066700] According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 1,000-3,000 units of platelets is affected. To address this, the AABB standard 5.1.1.1 "Standards for blood Banks and Transfusion Services, 22nd edition" requires accredited institutions to implement procedures for detecting and limiting platelet bacterial contamination. [https://www.cdc.gov/bloodsafety/bbp/bacterial-contamination-of-platelets.html]

This code measures Bacteria in Platelets^BPU. It belongs to the MICRO class in the LOINC classification.

LOINC (Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes) is a universal standard for identifying laboratory and clinical observations. It is maintained by the Regenstrief Institute and used worldwide for health data exchange.