A Scientific Visit to the Shar Hospital Blood Bank Unit by Medical Laboratory Analysis Department Students

Fourth-year students from the Medical Laboratory Analysis Department at Cihan University–Erbil visited Shar Hospital, specifically the Blood Bank Unit, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Sally Khaleel Baqer. The visit, part of the students’ field training activities, was organized to familiarize them with blood bank workflows and the proper handling of blood components.

The students were received by Mr. Abdullah Abdulrahman Abdullah, Supervisor of the Blood Bank Unit, who provided a detailed explanation of the unit’s operations and outlined the specimen pathway from receipt through processing and preparation for clinical use. The session focused on platelets, emphasizing their high sensitivity and increased risk of damage, and explained the key principles of storage and required monitoring conditions to maintain their suitability prior to transfusion.

The visit also addressed plasma handling, including its storage for up to one year when appropriate temperature standards and approved storage procedures are maintained, along with an overview of safe handling and preparation requirements. In addition, students were introduced to packed red blood cell (RBC) units, with explanations of their storage duration and how storage conditions may vary depending on the preservative solution used.

The supervisor further emphasized the importance of proper organization within blood bank refrigerators, accurate labeling, and traceability procedures to minimize errors and ensure compatibility and patient safety. Toward the end of the visit, the students were given a guided tour of other laboratory sections within the hospital, providing them with a broader understanding of how different laboratory units integrate to support clinical decision-making.