title: Separation of centrifuged whole blood and pooled buffy coats using the new CompoMat G5: 3 years experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Semi-automatic separation devices can be used for the separation of centrifuged whole blood into leucoreduced red cell concentrate (LR-RCC), plasma and buffy coat (BC) and to make platelet concentrates (PC) from pooled BCs. To improve and to obtain a more uniform and standardized process, the CompoMat G5 (Fresenius) was implemented, a new-generation semi-automated device.
  
  
  METHODS
  Uniform programs for WB separation and preparation of PCs were validated, using collection and pooling systems with CompoFlow (CF) closures, which can be automatically opened by the G5. Cell counts were performed and compared with historic data of blood components obtained with the formerly used Compomat G4 and Optipress II. After implementation, different adjustments were made to improve product quality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Leucoreduced red cell concentrates (280 ± 15 ml, 53 ± 5 g haemoglobin) and plasma (317 ± 16 ml) met European guidelines. BCs (48 ± 2 ml, 0·42 ± 0·05 l/l, 93 ± 25 × 10(9) platelets) contained a similar platelet (PLT) content as BC prepared before with the Compomat G4. A relatively high percentage (4-6%) of PCs (330 ± 17 ml, 330 ± 50 × 10(9) PLT, 0·12 ± 0·21 × 10(6) leucocytes) contained <250 × 10(9) PLT which was the subject of improvement studies. After implementation, RCC and BC discard decreased and workload was less. Operator complaints were also less frequent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The same high-quality blood components can be prepared by using the CompoMat G5 as previously with other semi-automated devices. Improvement was realized by automation of the opening process by the use of collection systems with CF closures, which led to a decrease in discarded units and workload.
authors.affiliation: Department of Product and Process Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Bontekoe
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: van der Meer
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mast
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: de Korte
mesh_terms: D058621:Blood Buffy Coat / Q000166:cytology*; D016913:Blood Component Transfusion; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002498:Centrifugation; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology; D010949:Plasma / Q000166:cytology
keywords: automatic separator; blood component preparation; standardization