Incirlik's blood bank supplies life-saving commodity

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Erica Stewart
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Editor's note: This is the first in a series of articles about the 39th Medical Group Laboratory.

Calm and as still as his beat-less heart, a pale monster hides in the shadows watching a woman fumble for her keys as she heads to a dimly lit parking lot. The supernatural parasite appears out of thin air behind the unsuspecting woman, exposes his fangs and bites deep into her neck.

This scene is typical of many famous vampire tales ranging from Bram Stoker's, "Dracula" published in 1897, Anne Rice's, "The Vampire Chronicles" to the TV show, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

One characteristic vampires and humans have in common is their need for blood. However, unlike our undead counterparts, when Team Incirlik members need blood, it comes from the Incirlik blood bank.

"Since blood is an essential part of life, it is vital to maintain an adequate supply of blood on base," said Maj. James Hanson, 39th Medical Group laboratory services chief. "It takes a lot of work and oversight to make sure this supply is kept up to our very high standards."

The first stop in maintaining a blood bank is the actual bank itself, a giant refridgerator fully equipped with an alarm and tracking system.

"The Jewett HemaPRO 2000 refrigerator we have in our blood bank is different than any other in our lab," said Staff Sgt. Jessica Quintero, 39 MDG transfusion services noncommissioned officer in - charge. "For instance, it has a seven-day reading chart so we can detect any type of temperature discrepancy because blood needs to be kept between one and six degrees Celsius. If the temperature goes out of range, an alarm sounds - not only in the lab, but back in ambulance services."

According to the Mandel Scientific Company Web site, www.mandel.ca, all Jewett Blood Bank refrigerators are designed to meet strict requirements established by the American Association of Blood Banks, American National Red Cross, Food and Drug Administration, and other international agencies.

"We make sure we adhere to strict FDA, AABB and College of American Pathologists guidelines to ensure we have nothing but quality blood and blood products to give out when ordered," said Sergeant Quintero.

Incirlik's medical clinic is prepared for all blood transfusions.

"We store all types of blood in our blood bank," said Airman 1st Class Christa Lewis, 39 MDG medical laboratory technician. "Each unit of blood contains approximately 450 milliliters of blood and we can store approximately 150 units in the Jewitt refrigerator."

Unlike the shelf life of a Twinkie, blood's expiration date is not indefinite.

"Whole blood can stay good for approximately six weeks when refrigerated at the proper temperature," said Sergeant Quintero.

Since blood drives are not conducted on base, the Incirlik blood bank is an irreplaceable asset for the base populous.