Rapidly Establishing a Hospital-Based Convalescent Plasma Collection Center With the Alyx Apheresis Collection Device

Abstract

The effort to collect convalescent plasma from individuals who recovered from COVID-19 began in earnest during the spring of 2020. Either whole blood or apheresis donations were obtained, the latter yielding higher numbers of units per donor per collection and more frequent collections. The NorthShore University HealthSystem blood donor center purchased 2 Alyx (Fresenius Kabi) apheresis plasma collection devices and quickly implemented them in order to collect COVID-19 convalescent plasma. Apheresis-experienced and inexperienced phlebotomists operated the instruments. Donors were collected >14 days from symptom resolution and all donors were negative by SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab. Both internal metrics of performance as well as a post donation survey were used to evaluate the feasibility implementing this collection program. During the first 100 days of the collection program, 650 plasma units were collected. In particular, during the first week of the program, 38 units were collected and distributed to hospitals under the emergency investigational new drug and expanded access program. Fifty-one donors (15%) were deferred due to vital signs out of range or donor screening questions. Thirty-one donors (10%) were deferred due to positive nasopharyngeal swab. Lower than target yield occurred in 16.6% of collections due to donor reactions or flow errors. Donors rated the overall program lower, but not the staff, when they reported symptoms related to collection. In conclusion, a hospital-based apheresis convalescent plasma collection program can be rapidly implemented. Donor reaction rates and vein infiltration rates should be carefully monitored for each phlebotomist.

One Year Later: What Have We Learned From COVID-19? Lessons and Accomplishments in Academic Pathology Departments

“…12 We worked to understand and adapt to increased levels of coagulation testing as COVID-19 patients developed coagulopathy. 13 We set up new services for the collection of convalescent plasma to lessen the impact and mortality for some patients 14 and supported our institutions' participation in the requisite clinical trials to find new therapies for COVID-19. 15 We responded to shifting needs in our clinical labs by increasing our services where needed to support the clinical care of hospitalized COVID-10 patients, implementing serology for the virus, 16 and shifting our workforce to support the heavy demands of accessioning specimens for the increased testing workload.…”