Are there different ways that private cord blood banks process and store the umbilical cord blood stem cells? Does the procedure really make a difference?
A larger number of stem cells will provide a better transplant. However, a high volume of blood does not always guarantee a high stem cell count. A collection of 40 cc’s can have a higher stem cell count than a 100-cc collection. In order to get a good yielding collection the procedure must be simple, safe and reliable for the healthcare provider to perform. The more steps involved the greater the chance of bacterial contamination, time taken away from patient care, or plain old mistakes or mishaps. A procedure that requires steps to add anticoagulant or changing syringes midstream can become not only contaminated but also a manipulation nightmare. The one-piece collection procedure needs to be simple. Wipe, insert needle, and collect into a closed-system bag. A closed-system bag provides the least chance of contamination. It makes sense. It’s the way the public FDA-regulated cord blood banks do it.
