Why are plastic bag overwraps recommended when thawing units of FFP in 37 ˚C water baths?

The rationale for recommending plastic bag overwraps when thawing units of Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) in a 37 ˚C water bath primarily revolves around preventing contamination of entry ports. When thawing blood components, maintaining sterility is crucial to ensure the safety of the blood product for transfusion.

Using an overwrap acts as an additional protective barrier against environmental contaminants and pathogens that could compromise the sterility of the FFP. Contaminated entry ports may lead to transfusion-related infections, which is why safeguarding these areas is paramount during the thawing process.

While other considerations, such as preventing bag damage or ensuring that labels remain intact, are important, the overarching concern during the thawing of FFP is to uphold the sterility of the blood component to protect patient safety.