October 2024

Subscribe

Contact

Follow

 

A season of change: Just right for discussing therapeutic plasma exchange

Welcome to fall, the season of pumpkin spice lattes and swapping summer heat for crisp days and changing leaves. We thought it would be a good time for Access Point to discuss another kind of swap: therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE).

In this issue, we share insights related to TPE replacement fluid recommendations and how to update replacement fluid information on the Spectra Optia™ Apheresis System. Throughout the issue, you will also find other interesting and useful tidbits about albumin, caring for your devices, and more — to help you get the most from Spectra Optia as you work to give patients the best care possible.
 
 
Therapeutics

How do you choose TPE replacement fluids?

You know that therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) involves removing plasma from the patient. And, to balance out that removal, the patient receives a replacement fluid or solution. In this article, we share insights on factors that healthcare professionals consider when deciding on the most appropriate replacement fluid for a particular TPE procedure.

Keep reading >
Device Maintenance

A little TLC can help prevent downtime

The medical devices at your facility are a significant investment — and crucial to giving your patients the best care. So keeping those devices up and running is a priority. Proper routine cleaning and maintenance can help keep them going strong, leading to less downtime and fewer repairs. That is why we are sharing tips for taking care of your Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies devices.

Keep reading >
Your Questions, Answered

Dear Access Point,

What do I do if a TPE procedure calls for 5% albumin as replacement fluid, but we only have 25% albumin bottles? — Vanessa in Katy, Texas

Dear Vanessa,

That’s a good question, since getting the replacement fluid correct is essential for a safe, effective TPE procedure. We suggest asking the pharmacist at your facility about mixing and adjusting the concentration from 25% albumin down to 5%. Pharmacists must follow specific standards and protocols when adjusting dosages and when identifying the correct diluents to use to prevent incompatibility of solutions. 

If you are in an outpatient facility that does not have an on-site pharmacy, consider contacting a compounding pharmacy about how to accurately mix the albumin to the appropriate strength.
 
 
 
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.
Submit a question
Resource Spotlight
> A Guide to Assist Clinicians Ordering Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Procedures
This guide provides an overview of factors to consider when ordering TPE, including targets, frequency, replacement fluid, anticoagulation, fluid balance, lab monitoring, and vascular access.

> 5 Myths of Plasma Exchange
This short fact sheet corrects misconceptions about TPE safety, convenience, access, and more.

Did You Know?

There is little question that albumin is a commonly used replacement fluid, including for TPE procedures. However, it’s important to know that when using albumin in glass bottles, bubbles may form and flow through the replacement fluid line and can accumulate in the reservoir. A buildup of bubbles can cause foam in the reservoir and may confuse the sensors, increasing the instances of reservoir alarms.

Bubbles are most often caused by a vacuum effect and can be exacerbated by improperly inserting the spike(s) into the bottle. To help mitigate bubbles, follow the steps in the device operator’s manual when spiking. 

Events
Live From Lakewood

Coefficient of Variation (CV) and Target Confidence for Platelet Collection on Trima Accel™ November 14, 2024

Learn more and register to attend these live and interactive webinar sessions 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're on the front lines of care, and we're here to assist.
Contact us online or via 877.339.4228.

Access previous issues
Stay Up to Date
Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest news, webinars, and other happenings that
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.

1FDA. FDA approves first gene therapies to treat patients with sickle cell disease. Posted December 8, 2023. Accessed September 18, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-gene-therapies-treat-patients-sickle-cell-disease.

2National Library of Medicine. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in sickle cell disease. Updated July 19, 2023. Accessed September 18, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538515/.

Spectra OptiaTM is either registered trademarks or trademarks of Terumo BCT, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
See TerumoBCT.com/trademarks for details.
©2024 Terumo BCT, Inc. | All Rights Reserved | TS-OPTI-XXXX | TerumoBCT.com