Transforming care: Patient insights on neurology-led peripheral plasma exchange service

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a highly efficacious treatment for a wide range of antibody-mediated neuroimmunological disorders. Practical difficulties of TPE via membrane filtration, which requires central venous access, have limited its use for neurology patients. The development of centrifugal plasma exchange (cTPE) machines has enabled treatment via peripheral venous access. We set up a neurology-led ambulatory day case peripheral plasma exchange service at the Wessex Neuroscience Centre in 2019 via cTPE machines. This study aims to evaluate the service based on patients' experience and satisfaction.

We retrospectively collected data for patients who received cTPE in our centre over a 20-month period. We designed a patient survey that included 15 questions based on Likert grading system. Patients were either given a QR code or were contacted by volunteers from the hospital to complete the questionnaire over the phone.

47 out of the 72 eligible patients participated in the survey. All survey questions received a positive response of 80 % and above, with responses in the range of 90 %. All patients who completed the survey commented that they would recommend this service.

cTPE machines enable plasma exchange via peripheral venous access allowing treatment for ambulatory day case patients. This study provides evidence confirming the positive patient experience with cTPE services at the Wessex Neurosciences Centre and highlights the importance of establishing neurology-led cTPE units to deliver effective treatment for neuroimmunology patients.