Remodelling whole blood processing through automation and pathogen reduction technology at the Luxembourg Red Cross. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Malvaux, Nicolas; Schuhmacher, Anne; Defraigne, Fanette; Jacob, Remy; Bah, Aicha; Cardoso, Marcia
• Is Part Of: Transfusion and apheresis science. Volume 60:Number 5(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Blood transfusion -- Platelet transfusion -- Automation -- Pathogen reduction technology -- Blood safety; Blood -- Transfusion -- Periodicals; Hemapheresis -- Periodicals; 615.39
• DOI: 10.1016/j.transci.2021.103195
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-0502

Abstract

Highlights: The Luxembourg Red Cross (LRC) is a small national centralised blood centre. The LRC implemented a fully automated whole blood processing (FAS) system in 2014. The FAS facilitated the daily routine without impacting blood components quality. Platelet concentrates are treated by pathogen reduction technology (PRT) since 2015. PRT is used to improve safety and had minimal impact on platelet yields and quality. Abstract: In 2014–2015, the Luxembourg Red Cross (LRC) implemented a fully automated system (FAS) able to process 4 whole blood units simultaneously, and a pathogen reduction technology (PRT) based on riboflavin and ultraviolet light to improve safety of platelet concentrates (PCs). In this observational study, the impact of both technologies to enable this centralised blood transfusion centre to provide safe and timely blood components supply for the whole country was analysed. Standard quality control parameters for blood components, productivity and safety were compared from data collected with the conventional semi- automated buffy coat method and with FAS/PRT. The FAS decreased processing time when compared with the buffy coat method and facilitated the daily routine at the LRC. Red blood cell concentrates, plasma units and PCs prepared with both methods were conform to the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare specifications. PCs prepared by FAS showed high yields, with decreased variability when the device-related software (T-Pool Select) was used. PRT had minimal impact on platelet yields and product quality and induced no increase in transfusion reaction notifications. The FAS and PRT transformed the daily routine of blood component manufacture by allowing increased productivity and efficiency, notwithstanding resource containment and without impacting quality, yet promoting safety.