When can fresh whole blood be used in an emergency setting?

Fresh whole blood can be used in an emergency setting within 24 hours of collection because it retains its functional properties, including red blood cells, plasma, and clotting factors, which are essential for treating patients requiring immediate interventions, such as trauma cases or significant blood loss. The rapid availability of fresh whole blood is crucial in emergencies where time-sensitive decisions can significantly impact patient outcomes.

Using whole blood beyond this 24-hour window would lead to deterioration of its components and settled regulatory practices regarding blood use, as the efficacy and safety for transfusions decrease after this period. Options focusing on frozen blood, irrespective of testing, or temperature requirements are not aligned with accepted medical practices for emergency blood transfusions.