AABB regs for therapeutic apheresis

[Mabel Adams]

Our Dialysis dept is going to start doing therapeutic apheresis. We have contracted with ARC in the past. It looks to me like there are no AABB standards that apply to the therapeutic apheresis process itself except to make sure there is an MD order. Can anyone tell me what the AABB assessors might think is necessary? Obviously we have all the FFP standards to consider if they do a plasma exchange, but for those procedures that replace the volume only with Albumin (issued by Pharmacy) and for the apheresis process itself, does Blood Bank have any regulatory jurisdiction?

[adiescast]

I assume they are not obtaining a product from this process...

The therapeutic apheresis process itself does not really fall under the AABB Standards. You want to be sure that you follow all the therapeutic phlebotomy requirements if you are doing rbc apheresis. Products used in apheresis must be appropriately matched and all patient safety requirements followed as with any transfusion. Obviously, you want to be sure that the apheresis instrument functions as expected before using it with a patient.

I don't think AABB promulgates standards for albumin replacement apheresis.

[kate murphy]

I have former Dialysis staff (RN) now in my ther pher dept. Working well. Some hospitals here around here use the same cross trained staff for both dialysis and ther pher.

There are no standards, other than the ones you set for your staff. What are the standards for your dialysis staff? RN?

[LShirley]

Are you CAP Accredited? If so, refer to the latest CAP Checklist requiring (among other things) the transfusion service medical director to accept responsibility for apheresus procedures.