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Sunny days, bright insights
Schools may be out for summer, but learning never stops — and it’s our goal to make it easy with every issue of Access Point. In this edition, we share insights on the red blood cell exchange (RBCX) depletion/exchange protocol, including when you would use it and options for targeting procedure endpoints on the Spectra Optia™ Apheresis System. Plus, check out the list of upcoming educational sessions to keep the learning going all year long. For now, settle into that sunshine, grab a cool drink, and read on.
As always, if you have ideas on topics you’d like to see covered to help you make the most of your Spectra Optia device and give your patients the best care possible, please let us know.
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Take a closer look at the RBCX depletion/exchange protocol
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You may know you can use Spectra Optia to perform straight exchange and depletion protocols. In some cases, though, a combination of the two is literally what the doctor ordered, in the form of an RBCX depletion/exchange procedure. We take a deeper look at this protocol, including why it may be particularly helpful for patients with chronic red blood cell exchange needs and how it may impact some key target run values.
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Dear Access Point,
Our Spectra Optia operators have asked us whether they could stop the depletion portion early during an RBCX depletion/exchange procedure, if they ever needed to. Is it possible?
— Shane, Phoenix, AZ
Dear Shane,
Yes, you can discontinue or shorten the depletion phase during an RBCX depletion/exchange procedure. Just follow these three steps.
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1. Increase the minimum hematocrit (Hct) on the run values screen to match the patient’s current Hct, shown on the exchange status screen, at the time you’re stopping the procedure.
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2. Follow the screen prompts to spike the red blood cells for the exchange phase.
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3. Perform the exchange phase as you would if the depletion phase had been completed.
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If you have a specific question about the Spectra Optia system, let us know. We will feature a reader question in each Access Point edition. Be sure to tell us your first name, hometown, and state or province. Questions not featured will be answered directly via email.
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Review this infographic-style handout for a quick, clear explanation of fraction of cells remaining — and the one time it may be the same as hemoglobin S.
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Which pre-procedure lab tests need to be run for an RBCX procedure? What fluid types should be used? Get answers to these questions and more in this handy information sheet.
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Did you know?
FCR ≠ HbS%
Fraction of cells remaining (FCR) and hemoglobin S (HbS) percentage both relate to blood cell percentages and may be selected by the ordering physician as an endpoint for an RBCX depletion/exchange procedure. But they aren’t the same thing.
- FCR is the percentage of a patient’s original red blood cell volume remaining at the end of an RBCX procedure.
- HbS% is the percentage of sickled red blood cells in the patient's blood. It can be calculated before and after an RBCX procedure.
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Successions Workshop
Therapeutic plasma exchange | October 1
Red blood cell exchange | October 2
Hosted by OneBlood
For more information on these workshops, please email Successions@TerumoBCT.com, and we will send you an invitation to register.
Live From Lakewood
- AC Management on the Trima Accel™ Automated Blood Collection System | July 17, 2025
- IMUGARD™ WB PLT Platelet Pooling Set Overview | September 18, 2025
- AC Management on the Spectra Optia™ Apheresis System | November 13, 2025
All sessions are scheduled for 12 p.m. Mountain Time. Learn more and register to attend any of these live and interactive webinar sessions from our headquarters in Lakewood, Colorado. If you would like to have a specific topic covered in one of these webinars, please send us an email.
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You're on the front lines of care, and we're here to assist.
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could help you make the most of your Spectra Optia system and your relationship with
Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies to do even more for your patients.
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Spectra Optia™, Trima Accel™, and Veda™ are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Terumo BCT, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. See TerumoBCT.com/Trademarks for details. IMUGARD™ is either a registered trademark or a trademark owned by Terumo Corporation or its affiliates.
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©2025 Terumo BCT, Inc. | All Rights Reserved | TS-OPTI-02562 | TerumoBCT.com
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