Welcome to your first issue

We are excited to bring you the first issue of Access Point BCP — a newsletter from Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies specifically for blood collection and processing (BCP) professionals. In this first issue, we discuss the 8-hour hold time for whole blood in the U.S. — and why gaining whole blood-derived platelets may be worth the challenges this rule presents. Plus, we address a question regarding validation and testing of a platelet pooling set; highlight a helpful resource and a live webinar; and share some interesting statistics you might want to use in your next donor recruitment campaign.

We hope you enjoy the issue. Please let us know if there are specific topics you want to read about in the future.

Platelet and blood supply

Whole blood-derived platelets and the 8-hour challenge

As the platelet shortage continues, whole blood-derived platelets (WBDPs) present an opportunity to help blood centers manage supply and demand. One historic challenge with manufacturing WBDPs is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) 8-hour hold time limit when processing whole blood for platelets. In this article, we review the 8-hour hold time regulation and discuss potential advantages that may outweigh the challenges.

Read more >

Your Questions, Answered

Dear Access Point BCP,

Our facility is considering making pooled whole blood-derived platelets. Before we move ahead, can you address what testing and validation is required? — Carly in Rochester, NY

Dear Carly,

It’s a great idea to research testing and validation requirements before making this move. (As you weigh the options, you may be interested to know that you could increase platelet shelf life to as much as 7 days with the IMUGARD^™ WB PLT Platelet Pooling Set.)

Your facility will ultimately determine your validation protocols and should consult with the appropriate staff within your organization to make an informed decision that is consistent with relevant requirements and regulations. Our team is available to support the decision-making process by providing guidance to appropriate reference documents that may include, but are not limited to guidance documents, standards, instructions for use documents, and publications.

Did You Know?

Adding 1% more donors could solve the blood shortage

Each year, an average of just 3% of the U.S. population donates blood. Of that group, female donors slightly edge out men at 54.1% versus 45.9%.¹ If just 1% more of the population donated blood, it could alleviate the ongoing blood supply crisis.¹ That’s a powerful statistic to encourage more potential donors to do their part.

Resource Spotlight

Donor Optimization Guide

Support your team’s education with information on blood basics, transfusion needs, industry challenges, and how to overcome common objections from potential donors.

Download the guide

Live From Lakewood

Coefficient of Variation (CV) and Target Confidence for Platelet Collection on Trima Accel^™ Automated Blood Collection System. | Nov 14, 2024, 12 p.m. MT

Learn more and register to attend this live and interactive webinar session 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.

Reveos^™ and IMUGARD^™ are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Terumo BCT, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. See TerumoBCT.com/trademarks for details.

¹America’s Blood Centers (ABC) and ADRP: The Association for Blood Donor Professionals. U.S. Blood Donation Statistics and Public Messaging Guide. Published January 2024. Accessed June 27, 2024. https://americasblood.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/U.S.-Blood-Donation-Statistics-and-Public-Messaging-Guide-Jan.-2024.pdf.