Physician coverage of therapeutic apheresis

A "snapshot" survey of physician coverage for evaluation and supervision of therapeutic apheresis procedures shows significant variation in current clinical practice between 39 blood center-and 41 non-blood center-based programs. Whereas 56% of blood center-based programs usually require physician's "in person" evaluation of the patient, 86% of non-blood center programs do (P < .005). Similarly, non-blood center-based programs were more likely to have physicians on the premises to supervise first and subsequent procedures and to bill separately for medical coverage. These differences were unrelated to location of the procedure (in hospital, blood bank, outpatient department, or other), the size of the program, or any information provided on adverse reactions.