What is the correct storage temperature for Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)?

Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) is a vital blood component that is used in various therapeutic applications, particularly for patients who require clotting factors. The correct storage temperature for FFP is -20 ˚C. This temperature is crucial to ensure that the clotting factors remain stable and are preserved effectively. When FFP is stored at -20 ˚C, the activity of clotting factors is maintained for an extended period, allowing for safe and effective transfusion when needed.

Storing FFP at higher temperatures, such as 4 ˚C or 37 ˚C, can lead to the deterioration of these important proteins and increase the risk of bacterial growth, which is not acceptable for patient safety. Additionally, -40 ˚C is not the standard temperature for FFP storage and could be unnecessarily low, potentially complicating the thawing process when the plasma is needed for transfusion. Thus, -20 ˚C is the recommended practice to maintain the integrity of Fresh Frozen Plasma.