9†Supply of non-clinical ocular tissue from a tissue and eye services research tissue bank.

INTRODUCTION: NHS Blood and Transplant Tissue and Eye Services (TES) is a human multi-tissue, tissue bank supplying tissue for transplant to surgeons throughout the UK. In addition, TES provides a service to scientists, clinicians and tissue bankers by providing a range of non-clinical tissue for research, training and education purposes. A large proportion of the non-clinical tissues supplied is ocular tissue ranging from whole eyes, to corneas, conjunctiva, lens and posterior segments remaining after the cornea is excised. The TES Research Tissue Bank (RTB) is based within the TES Tissue Bank in Speke, Liverpool and is staffed by two full-time staff. Non-clinical tissue is retrieved by Tissue and Organ Donation teams across United Kingdom. The RTB works very closely with two eye banks within TES, the David Lucas Eye Bank in Liverpool and the Filton Eye Bank in Bristol. Non-clinical ocular tissues are primarily consented by TES National Referral Centre Nurses. METHODS AND RESULTS: The RTB receives tissue via two pathways. The first pathway is tissue specifically consented and retrieved for non-clinical use and the second pathway is tissue that becomes available when tissue is found to be unsuitable for clinical use. The majority of the tissue that the RTB receives from the eye banks comes via the second pathway. In 2021, the RTB issued more than 1000 samples of non-clinical ocular tissue. The majority of the tissue, ~64% was issued for research purposes (including research into glaucoma, COVID-19, paediatrics and transplant research), ~31% was issued for clinical training purposes (DMEK and DSAEK preparation, especially after COVID-19 cessation of transplant operations, training for new eye bank staff) and ~5% was issued for in-house and validation purposes. One of the findings was that corneas are still suitable for training purposes up to 6-months after removal from the eye.In 2021, the RTB received 43 applications for ocular projects from new customers and supplied to 36 different projects, meeting 95% of all orders placed this year. DISCUSSION: The RTB works to a partial cost-recovery system and in 2021 became self-sufficient. The supply of non-clinical tissue is crucial for advancement in patient care and has contributed to several peer-reviewed publications.

20†Factors influencing the discard of clinical tissue and NHSBT methods to maintain a low discard rate.

INTRODUCTION: NHS Blood and Transplant Tissue and Eye Services (TES) is a human multi-tissue, tissue bank supplying tissue for transplant to surgeons throughout the UK. NHSBT has two Eye Banks. These are NHSBT Filton, based in Bristol and NHSBT David Lucas Eye Bank, which is based in Speke Liverpool. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NHSBT monitors our monthly discard rates with the aim to review for any patterns. Due to the NHSBT Eye Banks using a computer system called PULSE we can categorise all our discard for further analysis. Focusing on key areas such as Contamination, Corneal Assessment failure such as Low Endothelial Cell count, Medical deferrals and blood sample quality. RESULTS: 2019- NHSBT Procured 5705 Eyes and Issued 4725. This is a discard rate of 19%2020- NHSBT Procured 3725 Eyes and Issued 2676. This is a discard rate of 28%2021- NHSBT Procured 4394 Eyes and Issued 3555. This is a discard rate of 19%Based on the EEBA Statistical report of Eye Banking Activity in Europe for 2019- 42663 Eyes/Corneas in situ were procured and 25254 Corneas supplied for transplant. This is a discard rate of 41%.Based on the EEBA Statistical report of Eye Banking Activity in for 2020- 33460 Eyes/Corneas in situ were procured and 21212 Corneas supplied for transplant. This is a discard rate of 37%. DISCUSSION: Based on this data, NHSBT discard rate is below the European Average. Key factors which contribute to this low discard rate. Independent Clean rooms for excision and assessment operating to a Grade A Level. A centralised National Referral Centre and 4 dedicated Retrieval Teams ensure retrievals are within 24 hours of Death, and excision occur within 24 hours of enucleation. A dedicated Admin and Clinical Nursing Team performing the medical release ensures the Tissue is released promptly after Microbiological Testing (Day 10) for Assessment. During 2020 due to COVID all routine operations were cancelled suddenly. This resulted in an Increase of discard due to time expiry. REFERENCES: EEBA Statistical report of Eye Banking Activity in Europe for 2019 and 2020.