Platelet-rich plasma therapy: key infection prevention practices and strategies for safety risk reduction

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are increasingly performed in outpatient settings to treat select musculoskeletal injuries, arthritis, hair loss, and wounds. There is a need for procedure-specific guidance and standardization of PRP practices to mitigate associated infection prevention (IP) risks such as bloodborne pathogen exposure and unsafe injection use.

Develop a standardized approach for PRP administration which incorporates existing IP regulatory and professional society guidance.

Observation and descriptive review of PRP injection protocols across subspecialties at a tertiary medical center, focused on ambulatory IP and regulatory standards compliance. Development of a standardized operating procedure (SOP) to mitigate IP risks and align with regulatory guidance.

Observations were completed in orthopedic, wound care, and oral maxillofacial surgery clinics. Variability in practice was noted for product labeling, centrifugation, and injection modalities. A multidisciplinary workgroup convened to develop and operationalize an SOP. Classification of PRP as a blood product introduced nuances to protocols for product preparation, handling, administration, labeling, and documentation to comply with regulatory standards.

Development and implementation of an SOP for PRP treatment requires an awareness of the scope of practice in a healthcare system and identification of pertinent regulatory standards for integration into workflows. Partnerships between IP teams, subspecialty clinical providers, blood safety experts, quality and safety teams, and healthcare technology are essential to minimize variability in practice, ensure safety of patients and healthcare personnel, and align with regulatory standards.