Completely converting a blood service region to the use of safer plasma.
BACKGROUND
Three types of plasma are widely available for transfusion. Two plasma components, FFP donor retested (FFP-DR), and solvent/detergent-treated plasma (SDP), are now considered to be safer from infectious complications than FFP.


METHODS
A large regional blood center attempted to provide FFP-DR exclusively to all its 42 hospitals. Significant planning, increases in computer capabilities, and expansion of component storage areas were completed before initiation of this program.


RESULTS
During the first 6 months of the FFP-DR program, the blood center was not able to supply the entire region exclusively with FFP-DR. Consequently, SDP was utilized to supplement the program and to successfully and completely convert the region's 42 hospitals to the use of safer plasma.


CONCLUSIONS
Two new plasma components were utilized to completely convert a blood service region to the use of safer plasma.
McCarthy
L J
LJ
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University. Indianapolis 46202-5283, USA.
Danielson
C F
CF
Rothenberger
S S
SS
Parker
C
C
Weidner
J
J
Miraglia
C
C
Matus
D
D
Waxman
D
D
D001771:Blood Banks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001782:Blood Donors; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000592:standards; D003257:Consumer Product Safety / Q000592:standards; D003902:Detergents / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D010949:Plasma / Q000187:drug effects
D003902:Detergents