Blueprint for a Catalan Apheresis Database Initiative: The Catalan Apheresis Therapeutics Network and Its Role in...

The Therapeutic Apheresis Database in the Catalan Region (AfTerCat) was developed to consolidate and standardize data collection for therapeutic apheresis procedures across public and private institutions in Catalonia. Covering procedures performed from 2019 to 2023 in 21 apheresis units, the registry captures data on plasma treatments, cell therapies, and cytapheresis procedures, with over 26,000 recorded entries. Variations in workload across public and private institutions were noted, influencing resource needs and operational costs. By streamlining manual data collection and planning future automation, the AfTerCat registry aims to provide crucial insights for healthcare administrators in optimizing resource allocation, managing procedure costs, and supporting evidence-based policy decisions. The registry's integration into the Organització Catalana de Trasplantaments (OCATT) digital transformation initiative highlights its potential to impact health policy through improved data centralization and real-time analysis. This project serves as a foundational step toward efficient health system planning and cost management in the growing field of therapeutic apheresis.