What action should be taken if expired blood products are found in storage?

When expired blood products are found in storage, the appropriate action is to dispose of them immediately. This is crucial for patient safety, as the use of expired blood products can pose significant health risks, including the potential for transfusion reactions, infections, or ineffective treatment due to deterioration of the blood components.

Proper disposal is also in line with regulatory compliance and national health guidelines, which mandate that expired medical products, particularly those that are biological in nature like blood products, be handled carefully to prevent any misuse or patient harm. Ensuring that only safe, effective products are available for transfusion is a fundamental principle in blood safety practices.

The other actions suggested, such as using them as needed, archiving for reference, or donating to medical schools, could potentially compromise patient health and safety, which is why they are not appropriate measures in this situation.