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Thawed plasma an alternative to fresh frozen plasma
Joan Gerdes1, Barbara Bertolani, Mary Berg
1Quality Improvement Department, University Medical Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
Summary
Thawed plasma can replace Fresh Frozen Plasma to reduce blood bank waste and costs. Educating clinical teams about thawed plasma availability significantly cut Fresh Frozen Plasma wastage.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Hematology
Background:
- Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) is a critical blood product for coagulation.
- Wastage of FFP due to expiration is a significant issue in blood banks.
- Thawed plasma (TP) retains most clotting factors, offering a viable alternative.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of using thawed plasma (TP) to reduce FFP wastage and associated costs.
- To encourage the clinical adoption of TP as a substitute for FFP.
Main Methods:
- Review of blood bank wastage data and cost analysis per unit.
- Educational initiatives targeting Trauma, Anesthesia, and Emergency Services regarding TP availability.
- Comparison of FFP wastage before and after the implementation of the TP utilization program.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in FFP wastage observed after the educational program.
- TP demonstrated sufficient coagulation factor levels for many clinical applications.
- Cost savings were realized by decreasing FFP discard rates.
Conclusions:
- Implementing TP in place of FFP can effectively decrease blood product wastage and healthcare costs.
- Clinical education is crucial for the successful adoption of TP.
- TP is a safe and effective alternative to FFP, preserving valuable blood resources.