What is a recommended practice to prevent the use of expired blood products?

Implementing strict inventory management protocols is essential to prevent the use of expired blood products because it ensures that blood products are systematically tracked, monitored, and utilized in a timely manner. By maintaining an organized system of inventory management, healthcare facilities can effectively keep tabs on expiration dates and manage existing stock to ensure that older products are used first, often referred to as the "first in, first out" method.

This approach includes regular audits of inventory, establishing clear guidelines for usage based on expiration dates, and routinely updating staff on the status of blood products. All of these practices contribute to minimizing waste and enhancing patient safety by ensuring that only non-expired products are available for transfusions.

While regular training of healthcare staff is important to maintain overall safety and familiarity with processes, inventory management specifically targets the issue of expired products. Increasing blood product donations, while beneficial for overall supply, does not address the management of existing inventory. Extending the shelf-life of blood products might seem advantageous but is not a practiced or feasible solution to prevent expiration effectively; the focus should be on managing what is currently available.