AM21-75: Strategies to Address Critical Stresses on the Platelet Inventory

This session will explore ways to increase self-sufficiency of the platelet supply. It will begin with describing the state of the US platelet supply including the decreasing and aging volunteer donor base, and the increasing demand due to aging population with comorbidities. It will then briefly discuss the consideration of paid platelet donors. The session will then move to strategies to improve platelet availability with two presentations. The first will discuss alternative production methods and quality parameters including increasing production of whole blood-derived platelets including buffy coat component manufacture, lowering the platelet dose from 3.0 to 2.5 x 1011/unit, overnight hold of whole blood prior to platelet production and ways to prolong storage time. The second will examine strategies to minimize platelet wastage including cold stored and cryopreserved platelets for bleeding patients including the pros and cons. Question time will focus on audience idea generation.