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Implementing Pathogen Reduced Platelets: A TSO (Transfusion Safety Officer) Perspective

Part of 2 of 2 – AABB Science and Innovation Forum: Implementing Pathogen Reduced Platelets: Transfusion Safety Officer (TSO) Perspectives from a Leading Pediatric Institution and Large Hospital Network

Leading hospitals¹ across the U.S. are implementing pathogen reduced (PR) platelets to improve platelet availability since they can be released on day 1² resulting in earlier receipt of younger, fresher platelets, and to help ensure platelet safety across a broad spectrum of pathogens. Transfusion Safety Officers work interdepartmentally in their institutions to ensure safe transfusion practices for their patients. In this AABB Science and Innovation Forum, TSOs from a leading pediatric institution and a large hospital network will share their perspectives on the role that PR platelets play in meeting hospital demands. They will discuss how PR platelets bring value to the different transfusion medicine stakeholders in their institutions.

Virginia Huber RN-BSN, (s)MSJ
Transfusion Safety Officer and Quality Advisor
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital,
St. Petersburg, FL

1. U.S. News & World Report Hospital Rankings & Ratings, 2020-2021, https://health.usnews.com/besthospitals
2. Bacterial Risk Control Strategies for Blood Collection Establishments and Transfusion Services to Enhance the Safety and Availability of Platelets for Transfusion: Guidance for Industry. US FDA; Dec 2020.

Watch the Replay
Runtime: 32 min

INTERCEPT® Blood System for Platelets Pathogen Reduction System

INTENDED USE

The INTERCEPT Blood System for Platelets is intended to be used for ex vivo preparation of pathogen-reduced Amicus apheresis platelet components suspended in 65% PAS-3/35% plasma, and Trima apheresis platelet components suspended in 100% plasma in order to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted infection (TTI), including sepsis, and as an alternative to gamma irradiation for prevention of transfusion-associated graft versus host disease (TA-GVHD).

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Contraindicated for preparation of platelet components intended for patients with a history of hypersensitivity reaction to amotosalen or other psoralens. Contraindicated for preparation of platelet components intended for neonatal patients treated with phototherapy devices that emit a peak energy wavelength less than 425 nm, or have a lower bound of the emission bandwidth less than 375 nm, due to the potential for erythema resulting from interaction between ultraviolet light and amotosalen.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Only INTERCEPT Processing Sets for platelets are approved for use in the INTERCEPT Blood System. Use only the INTERCEPT INT100 Illuminator for UVA illumination of amotosalen-treated platelet components. No other source of UVA light may be used. Please refer to the Operator’s Manual for the INT100 Illuminator. Discard any platelet components not exposed to the complete INT100 illumination process. Tubing components and container ports of the INTERCEPT Blood System contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) is known to be released from PVC medical devices, and increased leaching can occur with extended storage or increased surface area contact. Blood components will be in contact with PVC for a brief period of time (approx. 15 minutes) during processing. The risks associated with DEHP released into the blood components must be weighed against the benefits of therapeutic transfusion.

INTERCEPT® Blood System for Cryoprecipitation for the manufacturing of Pathogen Reduced Cryoprecipitated Fibrinogen Complex (INTERCEPT® Fibrinogen Complex, IFC)

INDICATIONS FOR USE

PATHOGEN REDUCED CRYOPRECIPITATED FIBRINOGEN COMPLEX

Treatment and control of bleeding, including massive hemorrhage, associated with fibrinogen deficiency.
Control of bleeding when recombinant and/or specific virally inactivated preparations of factor XIII or von Willebrand factor (vWF)
are not available.
Second-line therapy for von Willebrand disease (vWD).
Control of uremic bleeding after other treatment modalities have failed.

Limitations of Use: Pathogen Reduced Cryoprecipitated Fibrinogen Complex should not be used for replacement of factor VIII.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Contraindicated for preparation of blood components intended for patients with a history of hypersensitivity reaction to amotosalen or other psoralens. Contraindicated for preparation of blood components intended for neonatal patients treated with phototherapy devices that emit a peak energy wavelength less than 425 nm, or have a lower bound of the emission bandwidth less than 375 nm, due to the potential for erythema resulting from interaction between ultraviolet light and amotosalen.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Only the INTERCEPT Blood System for Cryoprecipitation is approved for use to produce Pathogen Reduced Cryoprecipitated Fibrinogen Complex. For management of patients with vWD or factor XIII deficiency, Pathogen Reduced Cryoprecipitated Fibrinogen Complex should not be used if recombinant or specific virally-inactivated factor preparations are available. In emergent situations, if recombinant or specific virally-inactivated factor preparations are not available, Pathogen Reduced Cryoprecipitated Fibrinogen Complex may be administered.