Plasma Optimization

The first section of the Plasma Optimization Guide discusses the principals of blood separation and centrifugation. It defines the terminology used in centrifugation, describes the many elements that impact blood separation using centrifugation, and indicates how to establish optimal centrifugation parameters. For example, we all know there is only so much plasma that can be obtained from a unit of whole blood.  Total volume is determined by the volume of blood collected and the donor percent hematocrit (% HCT).  Figure 1 illustrates the theoretical range of plasma that can be recovered from a unit of whole blood. 

Figure 1

Theoretical Total Plasma Volume Dependent on Donor % Hct and Collection Volume

The next section of the Plasma Optimization Guide reviews whole blood collection and processing to reveal how choices made by your facility within these processes impact plasma yields. For example the whole blood collection system used and the volume of whole blood collected can have a direct effect on the amount of plasma recovered during the component processing steps.  Deciding whether to use a whole blood (WB) in-line filtration system versus a RBC in-line filtration system such as the Leukotrap RC System with RC2D Filter  is a trade off between plasma yields and logistics.  As illustrated in Figure 2 below, there will be blood held up in the WB filter that affects the amount of plasma obtained after centrifugation.  

Figure 2

Plasma Yield Dynamics - WB versus RBC In-Line Systems

Click here to learn more about using the Pall RBC In-Line Filtration System to meet your recovered plasma production target.

The last section of the Plasma Optimization Guide concludes with a discussion of the impact of plasma optimization on workflow and discusses the cost benefit analysis of optimizing plasma yields.

Selecting a Quality Improvement Initiative

Your facility may have adopted Lean Six Sigma quality improvement initiatives to streamline your processes as you compete for limited resources with increasing operational costs. Selecting a quality improvement initiative with Lean Six Sigma begins with a high level process diagram. An example is a SIPOC diagram that defines Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Output, and Customers as shown in Figure 3. The purpose of the SIPOC diagram is to characterize or define the process and variables that contribute to the final product quality. In this example for blood component production, the Suppliers, Inputs and Process contribute to the quality of the final Output (plasma and LR blood components). The voice of the customer also defines the quality criteria for the final product, such as if the customer is a plasma vendor, additional criteria for quality may be cell-free plasma with a minimum volume of 200 mL. 

Figure 3

SIPOC Process Diagram

 

Supplier choice can impact product quality (Outputs) but for the purpose of improving plasma yields the focus should be on Input and Process variables. Once the variables that impact plasma recovery have been identified, you can assign a metric to benchmark the current process and identify improvement initiatives that will produce the greatest impact on plasma yield with the maximum efficiency.

Improving Your Revenue Stream

With the increasing demands for donor resources, a greater emphasis is being placed on maximizing the value of a single whole blood donation. You facility may sell recovered plasma for further manufacturing to improve your revenue stream. Developing a cost benefit analysis may be useful in determining whether all or any of the recommendations for improving plasma recovery are applicable to your facility’s process. When you create a cost benefit analysis, it is appropriate to start with the process improvement steps that provide the highest potential gain with the lowest associated cost.  

Working with your Pall Account Manager, our Product Application Services specialists can conduct a survey to gather your process workflow and historical plasma volume data points. This information will help Pall design a customized plasma optimization program for your facility.  For more information and a review of Pall's Plasma Optimization Guide, contact your Pall Account Manager.