2.5 Apheresis Donation | New Zealand Blood Service

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Transfusion medicine

Transfusion medicine handbook

The Transfusion Medicine Handbook is designed to assist hospital staff and other health professionals in modern Transfusion Medicine Practice.

2. Collection, Testing and Processing of Blood Donation

2.5 Apheresis Donation

Apheresis is a procedure used to collect:

  • Plasma (plasmapheresis)
  • Cellular components (cytapheresis) including:
    • Platelets (plateletpheresis)
    • Granulocytes (granulocytapheresis)
    • Haematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) derived from peripheral blood

Red cells can also be collected by erythrocytapheresis (although NZBS does not offer this service).

Apheresis donors should normally meet the requirements for whole blood donation. Exceptions to this must be authorised by a NZBS Transfusion Medicine Specialist/ Medical Officer. Such exceptions will normally only be made when the plasma or platelets are of unusual therapeutic value and only when the NZBS Transfusion Medicine Specialist/Medical Officer, who is aware of the health status of the donor, has documented that the donor’s health permits apheresis donation.

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