Which component has the longest expiration date?

Frozen red blood cells (RBCs) indeed have the longest expiration date among the components listed. Frozen RBCs can be stored for up to 10 years when maintained at the appropriate temperature of -65°C or lower. This extended shelf life allows for long-term storage, making them particularly useful for patients who may need blood transfusions in the future or for rare blood types that are not commonly in inventory.

In contrast, cryoprecipitate generally has a shorter expiration of about 12 months when frozen, while fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is typically stored for up to 1 year before being used. Platelet concentrates have the shortest shelf life, usually around 5 to 7 days when stored at room temperature with agitation. Each of these components serves specific clinical needs, but the storage limitations emphasize the importance of careful inventory management in blood banks to ensure availability for transfusions.