Products not for transfusion, intended for scientific research

The MLM at the Biobank Belgian Red Cross-Flanders can be obtained for use in scientific research (if available and subject to an approved application) can be found in this table ; see further for the application procedure. 

Products with specifications

If desired and with an approved request , buffy coats and EDTA samples can be obtained routinely, selected on the basis of blood group + RhD donor, donor gender, donor age range and freshness (only buffy coats). These are products with specifications. 

There are a number of conditions attached to this:

• A maximum of 2 specifications are allowed per product
• An additional charge will be made per specification and per product
• The desired specification(s) are ordered in the online ordering application ROOS, together with the product. The list of possible specifications (to be checked in ROOS) can be found in the table below:
  
  

  Selection on	Possible specifications to check in ROOS
  Gender donor	Gender M Gender V
  Donor age range	Age ≤30 years Age ≤40 years Age ≤50 years Age ≤60 years Age 30-40 years Age 40-50 years Age 50-60 years Age 20-40 years Age 40-60 years Age >30 years Age >40 years Age >50 years Age >60 years
  ABO+RhD donor	Blood group A RhD+ Blood group A RhD- Blood group O RhD+ Blood group O RhD- Blood group B RhD+ Blood group B RhD- Blood group AB RhD+ Blood group AB RhD-
  Bewaarduur buffy coat <8u	Fresh BC

• With an approved request for buffy coats/EDTA samples with specifications, these products can also be ordered without specifications in ROOS
• Specifications requested will be applied to each product : e.g. if 3 buffy coats + 2 specifications are ordered, all three buffy coats will meet these 2 additional requirements
• Buffy coats with specifications are available in both Campus Mechelen and Campus Ghent, EDTA samples with specifications are only available in Campus Mechelen
• Products with specifications can single to be delivered if available. Certain (combinations of) specifications are less available, please take this into account when placing an order. You will be notified by telephone if the products with specifications are not or only partially available. In the latter case, the number of products to be delivered can be discussed. 
  • It is possible to deliver fewer products with specifications
  • It is not possible to deliver products without specifications in this case
  • It is not possible to deliver the same number of products with only 1 of the 2 ordered specifications 

In exceptional cases, other products (other than buffy coats and EDTA blood samples) can also be delivered that have been selected on the basis of blood group + RhD, gender or age, and products with other specific characteristics can be delivered. 

For this, please contact ntx-biobank@rodekruis.be .

Labeling

The anonymized blood products carry a large numberless label containing the following information regarding the product:

• the product code
• type of product
• the date of collection*
• the blood group + RhD of the donor (O+, O-, A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-)°
• gender of donor (M, F)°
• age of donor°
• VERS indien bewaarduur buffy coat <8u

*preparation date for a pooled platelet concentrate
°not for a pooled platelet concentrate

The label also indicates whether it is intended for scientific research (WO) or for validation or educational purposes (VO).

 
Example :

There is no label on residual fractions from donations.

The labels of the anonymized blood samples from CELA do not contain any information. If blood samples with specifications were requested, the gender, age and/or ABO RhD of the donor are stated on the document enclosed with the samples upon delivery.

With coded issuance, the products carry a unique identification code.

Packaging

The products are packed according to the three-tier packaging system for shipping biological materials:

• Primary packaging: watertight and leak-proof container (e.g. steel tube, blood bag)
• Secondary packaging: waterproof and leak-proof outer bag
• Tertiary packaging: impact resistant outer packaging
• An adhesive envelope containing the copy of the delivery note intended for the 'customer' is attached to the outer packaging

To order blood products, blood samples or derivatives for scientific research, follow these steps.

Step 1: Concluding the framework agreement

Request the framework agreement for the provision of human body material from Biobank via ntx-biobank@rodekruis.be Belgian Red Cross-Flanders . Please also include a telephone number where we can contact you for additional information or consultation.

Step 2: Submitting the application form

After signing the framework agreement by both parties, the MLM for WO can be requested via this form: Application form for human body material (MLM)* for scientific research. After approval and registration by the manager of the biobank, the application form will be part of the framework agreement as a subcontract.

• The application must be signed by persons authorised to do so (Annex 2 to the Framework Agreement).
• Enter reference (RKOV number) and date of the framework agreement. The application is only admissible if it refers to the valid framework agreement under which it falls.
• The application must specify the specific research application for which the biobank products will be used must be indicated in two ways:
  • By means of a concise but clear description
  • By ticking one (or more) of the possible application categories; these application categories – which are also included in the framework agreement – correspond to the objectives for which the Biobank Belgian Red Cross-Flanders has received a favorable opinion from an ethics committee. 
• Buffy coats of EDTA blood samples with specifications; see above:
  • If desired, check “Selection of buffy coat based on the specifications below” or “Selection of EDTA blood samples based on the specifications below” on the request
  • Vink de gewenste specificatie(s) aan (bloedgroep + RhD donor, geslacht donor, leeftijdsrange donor en/of bewaarduur buffy coat <8u). Let op: op de aanvraag kunnen alle 4 de specificaties aangevinkt worden, bij het plaatsen van de bestelling in ROOS worden max. 2 specificaties per product toegestaan
  • In ROOS only the requested and approved specifications will be visible and selectable. See under 'Products' the list of possible specifications (checkable in ROOS )
  • If you want the above mentioned products both with and without specifications, only the product with specifications should be checked on the request. Specifications can but do not always have to be ordered in ROOS
  • If you wish to order other products (plasma, erythrocyte concentrate, whole blood, platelet concentrates) in addition to buffy coats or EDTA blood samples with specifications, a separate request must be submitted for this. 

Submit the digitally completed and signed application form to the biobank via ntx-biobank@rodekruis.be .

Step 3: Ordering the products

The biobank examines whether the application is in accordance with the objectives and activities of the biobank. In case of a positive assessment, this will be confirmed in writing using the same application form, with the allocation of a unique file number. This file number must, if requested, be selected in the order application 'ROOS ' to place orders in accordance with this application. 

For the procedure to follow for actual orders: see the manual for ROOS .

Products cannot be collected on weekends, Mondays, public holidays and on days following a public holiday.

Blood and blood products not suitable for transfusion (incl. buffy coats with specifications)

• Acceptance of orders is closed daily at 7:00 am. Orders received after 7:00 am can be processed the next day at the earliest
• At the latest at 11:00 you will receive a notification (by e-mail or telephone) if the order cannot be executed or can only be executed partially due to insufficient availability of products. In the latter case, the number of products to be delivered can be discussed.
• The products must be collected between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm at the distribution counters of the Blood Service at Campus Ghent or Campus Mechelen

Residual fractions of donations

• Acceptance of orders is closed daily at 7:00 am. Orders received after 7:00 am can be processed the next day at the earliest
• The residual fractions must be collected between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM at the distribution counters of the Blood Service in Campus Ghent

Residual samples from CELA (incl. samples with specifications)

• Orders must be received no later than 2 days before expected delivery at 2:30 PM
• Once received, orders cannot be cancelled or changed
• The samples must be collected between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm at the distribution desk of the Blood Service at Campus Mechelen

Residual samples HILA and blood bank labs

• Specific procedure. Appointments regarding ordering and collection of samples are made in mutual consultation.
• When collecting the products, the employees at the distribution counters will ask for the ROOS order number or the name and address* of the recipient and a copy of the delivery note will be signed by the courier. 

*The delivery address is always the address mentioned on the request form. This address will also be shown on the delivery receipt, attached to the envelope containing products. If different delivery addresses are desired, please submit multiple requests.

Executed orders that are not picked up will be charged.

• Application form for blood products, blood samples or derivatives* for scientific research
• Emergency order form ROOS (only to be used in case of unavailability of the electronic ordering application ROOS)