New year, new impact

As we step into the new year, many of us reflect on resolutions and goals for the months ahead. Whether it's prioritizing time with loved ones, focusing on self-care, or giving back to the community — like donating blood — resolutions often come with the desire to make a meaningful impact. That’s why this second issue of Access Point BCP dives into valuable tips and reminders for blood donors. Plus, discover interesting information on how data management software could enhance your center’s productivity.

We’re pleased to bring you this newsletter, written specifically for blood collection and processing (BCP) professionals. Please let us know if there are specific topics you want to read about in future issues.

Blood Collections

Tips and reminders for your blood donors

With the arrival of the new year, blood donation may be on many people’s resolution lists. To help your new and experienced donors have a safe and positive experience, it’s important that they understand some basic guidelines. To help make it easy for you to provide that information, we’ve put together this overview that you can share with your blood donors — and even new staff or volunteers — as you thank them for their lifesaving contributions. Read more >

Your Questions, Answered

Dear Access Point BCP,

We already have a blood establishment computer system (BECS). I’ve read about data management dashboards — could something like this further enhance our blood center’s productivity? — Jennifer in Orlando, FL

Dear Jennifer,

You have a good start with your BECS, since these systems can typically track eligibility, donation history, and some collection productivity. But adding software for a data management dashboard could offer more features to help with productivity.

We suggest looking for software that lets you collect procedure data from your devices in real time and presents it back to you in a user-friendly, visual dashboard. Ideally, the dashboard will help make your data more accessible and allow you to identify trends and performance shifts early. Detecting a downward trajectory in productivity quickly lets you make a correction quickly, too. Data visibility may also help you spot and address troubleshooting issues in a more timely manner.

Some dashboard software includes email notifications. With these, you may be able to define standards and rules for a specific metric, and the system will automatically email an alert notification if apheresis collections fall outside of those parameters.

Also consider how long the software will keep collected data. Having an historical perspective can let you compare performance year over year. Some dashboards even allow you to benchmark against national averages.

(Note that if your blood center uses the Trima Accel^TM Automated Blood Collection System, you may want to explore the Trima^TM KPI Dashboard.)

Did You Know?

There are 15 North American TOMEs customers with multiple connected TSCD-II devices¹

Blood centers are taking advantage of the ability to network multiple devices — such as TSCD^™-II Sterile Tubing Welder, scales, and blood collection systems — with TOMEs^™ (Terumo Operational Medical Equipment Software). These compatible devices can be networked with a computer or tablet into a TOMEs^™ Station that enables bidirectional connectivity between the peripheral devices and your BECS.

Blood centers may have one station or many. Each station uses standard operating procedures (SOPs) configured in TOMEs to guide the operator through data entry and process steps, while automatically capturing data that is sent back to TOMEs.

That two-way flow of data can help:

Improve data access and reporting
Centralize configuration of device settings
Enhance traceability
Increase operator efficiency
Reduce mistakes
Simplify training

To learn more about TOMEs Stations and device compatibility, please contact your Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies representative.

Resource Spotlight

> Online: TOMEs informational page

Get more details on TOMEs features, compatible devices, and how the software can help drive operational excellence for your blood center.

> Brochure: TSCD™-II Sterile Tubing Welder and TOMEs Software

See how TOMEs integrates with one of our leading sterile tubing welders to strengthen processes and improve efficiencies.

Events

America's Blood Centers 2025 Annual Meeting | March 10–12 | Arlington, VA

Live From Lakewood

Learn more and register to attend these live and interactive webinar sessions, presented from our headquarters in Lakewood, Colorado. If you would like a specific topic covered in one of these webinars, please send us an email.

Need support?

You are on the front lines of blood supply management, and we are here to assist.

Contact us online or via 877.339.4228.

Stay Up to Date

could help your efforts to manage the critical blood and blood component supply.

¹Data on file with Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies.

Spectra Optia™, TOMEs™, Trima™, and Trima Accel™ are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Terumo BCT, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. See TerumoBCT.com/Trademarks for details. TSCD™ is either a registered trademark or a trademark owned by Terumo Corporation or its affiliates.