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Stem Cell Optimization Process
Collection Instructions
The StemCyte International Cord Blood Center
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Instructions for Cord Blood Collection:
A Large Cord Blood Unit is Essential
When one of your patients enrolls with StemCyte Family, we send you detailed instructions on how to perform a successful cord blood collection. Another set of instructions and tips is included in the collection kit, and our staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to handle emergencies and answer questions about collections. Our instructions and tips for cord blood collection may also be viewed below. Please call us at 1-866-389-4659 if you would like to speak to one of our cord blood collection nurses.
Keys to Successful Collection:
  • Be patient
  • Clamp the cord close to the baby
  • 100cc of blood is the Goal - Minimum of 75cc
Collect as much blood as possible:
  • More blood = more stem cells
  • Quicker engraftment = greater chance of survival
  • Cell Dose is the most critical factor
Cord Blood Collection Instructions
Materials:
  • Cord blood collection bag inside sealed foil pouch (DO NOT OPEN until right before collection)
  • Large YELLOW BAG LABEL for collection bag (paper-clipped to foil pouch)
  • Alcohol swab sticks (1 pack)
  • Biohazard Bag with Zip lock
  • Collection and Delivery form
  • Betadine swab sticks (1 pack)
  • Plastic hemostat (1) for blood bag tubing
  • Cord Clamps (3)
Note: The collection process should not interfere with normal birthing procedures. For multiple births, deliver all infants before beginning collections.

Note: If patient wishes, the cord my be clamped after it stops pulsating.

In Utero collections: Collection after the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut and baby removed. An in-utero collection may be performed for C-Section deliveries by using the sterile C-Section Adaptor kit.

Ex Utero collections: Collection after the placenta has been delivered and the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut. As soon as possible after delivery, place the placenta with the cord clamped at the bottom in a tray with the umbilical cord hanging freely over the edge.
Collection Procedure
Step Action
1 Verify identity of birth mother (and placenta if collection is post placental delivery)
2 Put YELLOW BAG LABEL clipped to foil pouch over blank label on the collection bag.
3 Place a plastic hemostat on the blood bag tubing just below the needle and attach needle protector with arrow pointing toward needle.
Cleansing the Cord
4 Clean the exposed cord length twice with betadine scrub (Povidone-Iodine swabs).
Clean the cord with alcohol scrub. Do not touch the puncture site after cleansing. Remove and replace outer gloves.
Collecting the Cord Blood
5 Identify umbilical vein. Insert needle bevel down into the umbilical vein just above the cord clamp. Note start time of collection.
6 Remove hemostat from tubing. Blood should start flowing. Allow blood to drain by gravity into bag. Gently agitate bag to mix blood and anticoagulant. For ex utero collections, periodically move or rotate placenta for better collection. Do not milk umbilical cord.
7 Place bag lower than cord and collect as much blood as possible (target is > 100 ml). It is important to gently shake the bag during collection to prevent clotting of the blood.
8 Place hemostat on blood tubing before taking needle out of cord vein to prevent contamination.
9 To potentially increase the collection volume, you may reinsert the needle into the cord several times as long as the new spot is cleaned properly. Clamp above the first puncture with a new cord clamp and reinsert needle in a spot above the clamp. Repeat steps 5-9 until sufficient blood is collected.
10 When blood flow completely stops and cord appears white, place hemostat on blood tubing, remove needle from cord, pull needle guard over needle for protection and cut needle off into sharps container.
11 Tie tubing in a "white" knot immediately above and below the hemostat. Remove hemostat. Use fingers to squeeze tubing from the knot down to the bag, pushing the blood in the tubing into the bag so it can mix and not clot in the tubing.
Labeling and Packaging of the Collection Bag
12 Complete all items on the YELLOW bag label: a. verify that barcode label is intact b. place initials, estimated volume, date and time (for approximate volume, gross estimation is ok) c. record mother’s name or place mother’s addressograph label on the back of the bag.
13 Put a maternal addressograph label on the Collection and Delivery form and complete and sign the form.
14 Put blood bag into zip lock biohazard bag and put paperwork and bag into shipping box.
If the maternal blood sample has not been collected, get zip lock bag labeled Maternal Sample Collection kit and follow directions on the form in the pocket of the bag.

Deliver shipping box to mother as soon as possible.

KEEP SHIPPING BOX AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. DO NOT REFRIGERATE



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