Does anyone out there extend the expiration on their platelet pheresis products on occasion past 5 days since the Passport study closed? 1,4,6,8,12 hours? and depending on what circumstance?

Because of our remoteness from our blood supplier and because we've found ourselves without in-date pheresis platelets in critical situations, we did opt to use our pheresis plts up to 2 days after the original 5 day outdate. We will use these outdated pheresis plts only upon approval by the ordering physician and by one of our pathologists and only if no in-date platelets are available. We also do pH &/or glucose &/or gram stain on the platelets before dispensing to check for evidence of bacterial contamination. If we use outdated platelets the occurrence is documented as a deviation from SOP which is signed by our pathologist. Naturally, these outdated platelets are stored at the proper temp with rotation until they are disposed 7 days after collection.

It sounds like the practice you follow is the same as ours. We only use outdated platelets if no other in-date product is available and if the patient's condition warrants it -- we never extend the outdate for the sole purpose of saving money.

Almost all of the products were SPRCA or HLA-matched and were given by noon, with the apropriate approvals and documentation.