Logistics of automated plasma collection.

Plasmapheresis is widely carried out to produce plasma for fractionation. Production of Factor VIII and albumin, two proteins in plasma, drives the plasma industry. The Canadian Red Cross would like to achieve national self-sufficiency in plasma production to meet the rising demands for these proteins in the next 4 years. In order to achieve this goal we must make efficient use of our automated plasmapheresis machines and available human resources to produce a cost-effective plasma product. An assessment was undertaken at the Ottawa Centre to evaluate the number of procedures which could be performed on each machine per day and the staff required to operate these machines safely and efficiently. Donor availability, reliability and reasons for donating plasma were recorded to determine if our population could support such an escalated programme. Donor/staff interest and acceptance of automated equipment was determined. The results showed that four automated plasmapheresis devices could be operated by one nurse and one clinic assistant processing 32 donors a day with an average time of 27 min required for a 500-ml donation of plasma. The donor population was available and extremely interested; however, the logistics of scheduling proved to be an area for concern requiring special attention.