Program Description

This module will guide you through the recommended handling procedures for all types of platelet bags in your blood bank inventory, transporting to patient care units, and shipping outside your hospital.

When considering the handling and transport of any type of platelet bag, including psoralen treated platelets, it is appropriate to segment the procedures into the following processes:

  • Use Environment
  • General Handling Recommendations
  • Platelet Bag Configuration for Agitation
  • Centrifugation
  • Use of the Pneumatic Tube System
  • Transporting Platelet Bags to Other Hospitals or Blood Provider

Use Environment

Key considerations include:

  • Decontamination and Inspection of surfaces, work spaces and platelet storage areas

General Handling Recommendations

Key considerations include:

  • Appropriate handling procedures to prevent pinching, friction, excessive pressure, or scrapes that may lead to damage or leaks in bag

Platelet Bag Configuration for Agitation

Key considerations include:

  • Recommendations for platelet bag positioning to prevent damage from agitator cabinet

Centrifugation

Key considerations include:

  • Recommendations for situations where the platelet bag must be centrifuged

Use of the Pneumatic Tube System

Key considerations include:

  • Recommendations for transporting platelet bag the pneumatic tube system to minimize damage

Transporting Platelet Bags to Other Hospitals or Blood Provider

Key considerations include:

  • Recommendations for containers and packing platelet bags for transporting outside of the hospital

Many of onboarding steps can be done concurrently to shorten the implementation time frame. Upon completion of the implementation steps outlined in this module series, there is no further work to do for the use of INTERCEPT® platelets at your hospital.

We are here to help. The information reviewed in this module series is also available in our hospital implementation guide.

The Cerus Hospital Affairs team has experience with hundreds of hospitals in onboarding INTERCEPT® platelets. A member of this team is available to provide the support you need.

Once you have reviewed the implementation support materials in this module series and would like further assistance, please email us at hospitalsupport@cerus.com for help with any part of the INTERCEPT® onboarding process.

Presenter

Cynthia Robbins

Cynthia Robbins, RPh BSPharm

Senior Director, Education and Training Cerus Corporation

Cynthia Robbins RPh BSPharm earned her BS Pharmacy at the University of Medical Center at Chicago. Cynthia has over twenty-five years of experience in blood safety and the blood products fractionation industry. In her current role, Cynthia is focused on educating hospital clinicians in transfusion medicine and blood banking, as well as other specialty clinicians who utilize blood products for their patients on the importance of blood safety and pathogen reduction.