If fresh whole blood undergoes fast centrifugation (2500tr/min for 20 mins at 5 <sup>o</sup> C then both [[Plasma|plasma]] and [[Erythrocytes|red blood cells]] become separated. '''Red blood cells''' can then be stored at 2-6<sup>0</sup>C for 4 weeks. Fresh '''plasma''' must be used for the 6 hours following production unless it is frozen at -20<sup>o</sup>C where it becomes '''fresh frozen plasma''' and can then be stored and used for the next 2 years. | If fresh whole blood undergoes fast centrifugation (2500tr/min for 20 mins at 5 <sup>o</sup> C then both [[Plasma|plasma]] and [[Erythrocytes|red blood cells]] become separated. '''Red blood cells''' can then be stored at 2-6<sup>0</sup>C for 4 weeks. Fresh '''plasma''' must be used for the 6 hours following production unless it is frozen at -20<sup>o</sup>C where it becomes '''fresh frozen plasma''' and can then be stored and used for the next 2 years. |