Umbilical Cord Blood
Collection Training www.cordbloodbankarkansas.org

Umbilical Cord Blood Collection
A special thank you from Cord Blood Bank of Arkansas!
With the dedication of healthcare professionals, many can be given another chance at life.
The Cord Blood Bank of Arkansas
4301 W. Markham St., #503
Little Rock, AR 72205-7199
1-855-854-2222 (CBBA)
501-686-6271 (office)
501-766-4611 (cell)
501-296-1127 www.cordbloodbankarkansas.org
(SM) All rights reserved. Property of CBBA. Proprietary material. Not be reproduced or redistributed in any fashion without the express written consent of CBBA.

Table of Contents
I.
Background of Cord Blood
II.
The Process
III.
Umbilical Cord Collection
IV.
Maternal Blood Draw
V.
Packaging pg.1
pg. 7 pg. 17 pg. 47 pg. 52

• “Cord Blood” is the blood found in the umbilical cord and is rich in life saving stem cells.
• Historically, the umbilical cord was considered “medical waste” and was discarded after delivery.

• 10 years ago, the number of known treatable diseases, using cord blood, was 4!
• Currently, Cord Blood is used to treat over 75 different
Cancers and Disorders
– Including: Leukemia,
Lymphoma, Metabolic/Storage
Diseases, Immunodeficiencies,
Genetic Disorders, Neurological
Disorders….

• 1988: 1 st Related Cord Blood Transplant
• 1991: 1 st Unrelated Cord Blood Transplant
• 1993: 1 st Umbilical Cord Blood Bank
• 1995: Cryobanks International is established as a cord blood bank
• 2007: Arkansas State Legislators approved the Newborn
Umbilical Cord Initiative Act #695 which established the
Cord Blood Bank of Arkansas
• 2011: The Cord Blood Bank of Arkansas opens in collaboration with Lifeforce Cryobanks.

1. Cord Blood is found inside the Umbilical Cord
TRUE
2. Cord Blood is NOT currently being used to treat diseases
FALSE:
Cord Blood is used to treat over 75 diseases and disorders
3. There has NOT been a successful Cord Blood
Transplant to date
FALSE
To date more than 10,000 transplants have been performed!

1. Form Completion
2. Collection Kit Sent To Mother
3. Mom brings kit to the hospital when in labor
4. Cord Blood is Collected
5. Cord Blood is picked up by the courier
6. Cord Blood must be processed within 48 hours of cord blood collection!

Mothers can access enrollment forms in two ways:
1. By calling CBBA, and requesting forms to be mailed
2. By visiting www.cordbloodbankarkansas.org
and downloading the forms directly from our website
(available 8/01/2011
Enrollment forms must be completed and signed by the Mother and Physician for the unit to be processed

Foil Pouch
95k Transport
Biohazard Bag
Gel Pak
Clamp
Green
Label
Collection bag
Maternal Tubes and Sleeve
Alcohol and
Iodine
Pads/swabs

• The cord blood collection is performed after the birth of the baby.
• The collection may be performed by the attending physician, nurse or midwife.
• The process is painless and easy to collect!
It takes a few minutes that could save another’s life!

• After the collection, the attending physician, nurse or midwife packages the cord blood.
* Note: See Chapter 6 for detailed instructions.

• After the cord blood is packaged, it is the responsibility of the mother to designate a person to notify CBBA at 1-855-854-2222 or
501-766-4611.
• At this time CBBA arranges a courier to pick up the cord blood from the mothers permanent room or the nurses station.

TIP!

1. Mothers can only access enrollment forms through the mail.
FALSE:
Enrollment Forms Are Available at www.cordbloodbankarkansas.org
2. It is the responsibility of the mother to designate a person to notify CBBA after the cord blood is packaged.
TRUE
3. CBBA will arrange a courier to pick up the cord blood.
TRUE

is collected following delivery of the infant, after the umbilical cord is cut, and while awaiting (or following) delivery of the placenta

• Remove the collection bag from its foil pouch and over wrap

• Swab a site on the lower end of the cord with the povidone-iodine provided in the kit, followed by the alcohol pad.

• Insert the collection needle attached to the cord blood collection bag into the cleansed area of the umbilical vein. Be sure to start low on the cord and move up. Lower the umbilical cord below the perineum.
* Note: Clamp The Cord As Close To The Baby As
Possible! This will ensure maximum volume!

TIP!
The collection bag must be placed lower than the placenta to allow the blood to drain by gravity into the bag. Minimize manipulation of the umbilical cord as this will adversely affect the volume of blood obtained

• Check the volume!
Allow as much blood as possible to be collected.
Sufficient volume is a crucial factor for its use as a transplant.
Volume! Volume! Volume!
Aim for over 85cc!!!

• A minimum collection volume of 85cc is needed for the cord blood to be considered usable.
• It is desirable to have a collection volume more than 100cc (above the top of the white label.)

TIP!
When the cord blood collection slows or stops, milk the cord upward
(toward the placenta), for approximately 6 to 10 inches, reclamp the cord, clean, then re-stick allowing the cord blood to drain into the collection bag. This can be done
2 or 3 times and results in an increased collection volume.

Including the weight of the collection bag and clamp, a 85cc collection would weigh at least 155 grams. If less than 85cc of cord blood is collected, please attempt to collect more by reinserting the needle into another cleansed site of the umbilical vein.
Be sure to start low on the cord and move up!

• Following the collection
(which usually takes no longer than five minutes) clamp the tubing a few inches from the bag and cut it distal to the clamp, leaving the sharp
(needle) on your tray.
• Dispose of the needle as required by your facility. If you choose to use the needle guard provided, please use the instructions supplied with the guard.

• Immediately after collection, write the following on the YELLOW cord blood identification label provided:
> Mother’s first & last name
> Name of the physician/collector,
> Name of the collection facility
> Date and time drawn
• Confirm the patient’s name written on the cord blood label.

• Affix the YELLOW identification label directly to the collection bag.
• A Hospital ID may also be used.
IMPORTANT
! Cord Blood units that are unlabeled cannot be used for transplant !

 Weigh the collection bag containing the cord blood. Write the weight in grams on the yellow cord blood label.
 Have the weight information readily available for the designated person, notifying CBBA of the delivery and collection.

Fill out the BLUE
Delivery Information
Sheet, Form C.2-3, provided in the kit
This form is
REQUIRED!
We Cannot Process
The Cord Blood
Without It!

Keep cord blood at room temperature to ensure viability.
REFRIGERATE WILL damage the cells!
Do not refrigerate!
Do not refrigerate!
Do not refrigerate!

Step 1:
The collection may be performed before or after the placenta is removed from the uterus using the sterile collection bag.

Step 2: C-Section Delivery
Swab a site on the umbilical cord with the povidone-iodine, followed by the alcohol pad.

Tip!
Remember to clamp the cord as close to the baby as possible to ensure
Maximum Volume!

Step 3: C-Section Delivery
Insert the needle from the collection bag into the cleansed site of the umbilical cord. Be sure to start low on the cord an move up.
The collection bag can remain outside the sterile field at a lower level to allow gravity to fill it.

Step 4: C-Section Delivery
When collection is complete and the needle is removed from the cord, allow the blood remaining in the tubing to enter the collection bag to maximize recovery.

Step 5: C-Section Delivery
Secure the needle by holding it away from yourself and cover the needle by sliding the needle guard over the needle.

Step 1:
As mentioned earlier, the collection may be performed after the placenta is removed from the uterus. Using this method, collection of the cord blood can be performed up to 20 minutes after delivery of the placenta.

Step 2: C-Section Delivery
Place the placenta and umbilical cord in a tray.

Step 3: C-Section Delivery
Swab a site on the umbilical cord with the povidoneiodine, followed by the alcohol pad.

Remember!!! Clamp Close To The
Baby For Maximum Volume!!!!

Step 4: C-Section Delivery
Insert the collection needle attached to the cord blood collection bag into the cleansed area of the umbilical vein. Be sure to start low on the cord and move up.

Step 5: C-Section Delivery
Elevate the placenta and lower the collection bag to enable gravity to drain the blood into the collection bag.
* This method of collection may not yield as high volume, but an acceptable amount can be collected
Volume is Key!
Volume is Key!

Follow Vaginal Delivery Steps 6-11
Volume!
Volume!
Volume!
Complete
Paperwork
Do NOT
Refrigerate!

1. Collect the cord blood after the placenta has been delivered.
FALSE
You can collect the cord blood before or after delivery of the placenta!
2. Do not refrigerate the cord blood, keep at room temperature
TRUE
3. Cord Blood cannot be donated to the public inventory if the unit contains less than 60 cc of cord blood.
TRUE

(Con’t)
4.
In a C-Section delivery you can collect the cord blood before or after the placenta is delivered
TRUE
5.
Collecting after delivery of the placenta yields a higher volume of cord blood
FALSE
Collecting before the delivery of the placenta is the preferred method because it yields higher volume!

Maternal Blood Is Required With Every Collection!
• 5 vacutainer tubes have been supplied with the kit to draw the maternal blood for required infectious disease testing. The blood can be drawn during labor or shortly after birth; anytime within 48 hours of the cord blood collection, but must be drawn prior to cord blood kit packaging and courier pickup.
• So long as the maternal blood is drawn within 48 hours of the cord blood collection, the maternal blood can be drawn at IV start or with other lab blood draws.

Place the mother’s hospital ID labels on each tube of the maternal blood. If hospital labels are not available, write at minimum the mother’s full first and last name on the tubes.

Fill out the GREEN label with the phlebotomist’s initials, date and time of collection, and place the completed green label on the absorbent tube-holder sleeve.

1.
The maternal blood draw can be done anytime before or after delivery
FALSE
The maternal blood draw must be done within 48 hours of the cord blood collection, but prior to cord blood kit packaging and pick-up
2.
5 tubes are supplied for the maternal blood draw
TRUE
3.
Be sure to fill out the GREEN label with the phlebotomist's initials, date and time of collection
TRUE

All packaging directions pictured in the upcoming slides are located on the inside of the collection kit cover.

FINAL CHECK
IN ORDER TO MEET THE CRITERIA FOR A TRANSPLANTABLE UNIT
PLEASE CONFIRM THAT:
 THE BAG WEIGHT IS OPTIMUM > 155 GRAMS
 THE VIALS WITH MOTHER’S BLOOD ARE LABELED WITH THE PATIENT’S
FULL NAME (OR HOSPITAL ID LABEL)
 THE GREEN “VIALS FOR MOTHER’S BLOOD” LABEL IS COMPLETED AND
ATTACHED TO THE ABSORBENT TUBE SLEEVE
 THE YELLOW “HUMAN CORD BLOOD” LABEL IS COMPLETED AND
ATTACHED TO THE CORD BLOOD BAG
 THE BLUE DELIVERY INFORMATION SHEET HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND
ENCLOSED
• Call CBBA at 1-855-854-2222 or 501-766-4611 within 2 hours after the delivery of the baby to arrange for cord blood pick-up. If you call after hours, leave a message and we will contact you the next morning.
• Close the box by pushing the ends of the flap into the sides of the box. Ship the box into the large FedEx Clinical Pak Envelope. Peel the backing from the
FedEx air bill provided and place it on the bottom right corner of the FedEx
Clinical Pak.
• IMPORTANT: DO NOT SEAL the FedEx Clinical Pak until you have spoken to a CBBA Representative. Weigh the cord blood unity and have this information available when you call.

5

Slide #60: on step
3, re-write to:
“place completed yellow label on cord blood bag”. (We are not using a barcode label).
PLACE
COMPLETED
YELLOW LABEL
ON CORD
BLOOD BAG.

1.
It is necessary to do a final “check” before packaging the kit.
TRUE
2.
Only maternal blood tubes are to be sealed in the biohazard bag
FALSE
The cord blood bag and maternal tubes are to be sealed in the biohazard bag
3.
If hospital does not have printed labels for maternal blood tubes, it is necessary to hand write mother’s first and last name on tubes
TRUE

THANK YOU & CONGRATULATIONS!
YOU are helping to save lives by taking just a few minutes of your time!!

The Cord Blood Bank of Arkansas
4301 W. Markham St., #503
Little Rock, AR 72205-7199 www.cordbloodbankarkansas.org
1-855-854-2222 (CBBA) 501-686-6271 (office)
501-766-4611 (cell) 501-296-1127