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Published on: January 31, 2018
Improvement in Platelet Product Wastage and Reduction of Costs through Implementation of the Pan Genera Detection
Ru Munyikwa1, LeeAnn Walker1, Rajkumar Rajendran1
1Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Pan Genera Detection (PGD) testing on reducing platelet product wastage and transfusion service costs.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study comparing the number of platelet apheresis units wasted before (March 2017 to February 2019) and after (March 2019 to February 2021) PGD implementation. The PGD testing was performed before transfusion on days 6 and 7. Cost analysis considered the costs of platelet units wasted ($500.00/unit) and PGD test supplies and performance (estimated $26.50 per test). Paired samples t-test was used to compare platelet wastage pre- and post-PGD implementation.
Results:
The number of wasted platelet units decreased from pre-PGD (419) to post-PGD (195), representing a significant decrease in platelet wastage from 17.5% to 9.2% (P < .0001). During the post-PGD period, 366 and 133 units were tested on days 6 and 7, with 28 and 36 units discarded each day, allowing transfusion of an additional 302 platelet units. Costs from platelet wastage decreased from $209,500.00 pre-PGD to $97,500.00 post-PGD.
Conclusion:
Our results showed that PGD testing effectively reduced platelet wastage, extended platelet availability, and reduced transfusion service costs.
