Technology
Treats Platelets to Reduce Transfusion-Transmitted Infections
ThedaCare
hospitals are the first to use a new service of The Community Blood Center to
deliver Pathogen Reduced Platelets.
“We
are excited about this new feature of platelets they will provide for us, which
increases the safety of patients undergoing transfusions,” said Ray Georgen, MD,
medical director of trauma at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah.
According
to The Community Blood Center, the
revolutionary processing technology treats platelets to reduce the risk of
transfusion-transmitted infections by inactivating a broad range of pathogens
such as viruses, bacteria and parasites that may be present in donated blood.
Platelets,
which are the clotting components of blood, are commonly relied upon by patients undergoing cancer treatments or
major operations, such as transplants or open heart surgeries. “Pathogen Reduced Platelets are blood components in which a broad
spectrum of clinically relevant pathogens and leukocytes have been
inactivated,” said
Dr. Todd Straus, Chief Medical Officer &
Vice President, Quality & Medical services at The Community Blood Center.
“This means we can reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections and
transfusion-associated diseases.”
Jesse Lloyd, MD, pathologist at ThedaCare, said
prior to transfusion, platelets are stored at room temperature. “This creates a
favorable growth for bacteria and therefore presents the greatest risk for
transfusion-related sepsis,” he said.
“Currently, platelets are cultured prior to release from
the Blood Center in an effort to identify potentially contaminated
products.”
The
new product offers a safe alternative, said Dr. Lloyd. “This technology uses a
compound that binds DNA and RNA which then inactivates it upon exposure to
ultraviolet light,” he said. “This not only reduces the risk of bacterial
contamination, but also inactivates other transmissible diseases including,
HIV, hepatitis C and others. In addition, this product is equivalent to
CMV negative and irradiated products required for some cancer patients.”
The
Community Blood Center works hard to provide donated blood and platelets, said
Nicholas Augelli, MD, cardiac surgeon, ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care in
Appleton. Making those safe for patients is vital to their health and recovery
after surgery or injuries. “We are thankful for the service The Community Blood
Center provides us daily,” he said. “It
is with their products and their innovative efforts ongoing that allows us to
deliver quality, safe, and effective care to our patients in need at
ThedaCare.”
Currently available in a limited capacity, The
Community Blood Center
made its first distribution of Pathogen Reduced Platelets with ThedaCare and plans to expand the offering to more area hospitals in the future.
“We
are dependent on The Community Blood Center for blood products for
traumatically injured individuals,” said Dr. Georgen. “The potential for
extreme blood loss and the requirement of massive transfusions are potentially
a daily issue. Fortunately, The Community Blood Center has been able to meet
the needs of the community.”
For more than 100 years, ThedaCare™ has been
committed to finding a better way to deliver serious and complex healthcare to
patients throughout Northeast Wisconsin. The organization serves over 200,000
patients annually and employs more than 7,000 healthcare professionals
throughout the region. ThedaCare has seven hospitals located in Appleton,
Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose as well as 34
clinics in nine counties. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo
Clinic Care Network Member, giving our specialists the ability to consult with
Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a non-profit healthcare
organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment,
stroke and cardiac programs as well as a foundation dedicated to community
service. ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center in Appleton opened in February.
For more information, visit www.thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on Facebook and Twitter.