Update your LIMS before the end of July 2025

The components team have been working diligently to introduce the component of apheresis platelets suspended in a mix of platelet additive solution (PAS) and plasma into clinical practice. Significant work has gone into validating the component, aligning with regulatory guidance, and ensuring safety and efficacy.

The barcodes to update your LIMS are published on the component portfolio and prices webpage.

Apheresis platelets in PAS and plasma should not be confused with the existing component, apheresis platelets in additive solution, also known as washed platelets.

The Joint UK Blood Transfusion Services Professional Advisory Committee (JPAC) have accepted the specification for apheresis platelets in PAS and plasma for publication to the Guidelines for Blood Transfusion Services in the UK (Red book). This milestone means we can move to the next phases. 

Operational validation phases 1 and 2

We plan to start operational validation at a single collection site, the Leeds donation centre, towards the end of this summer. Validation will start with an end-to-end test of the process. This will enable us to issue this component, with limited availability during the single site trial, to hospitals from September this year. 

During the validation phases, both the current apheresis platelets (suspended in plasma only) and the new apheresis platelets component in PAS and plasma will be issued. 

 We will update you as the project develops and provide examples of labels for comparison purposes.

Please contact Rukhsana Hashmat in the first instance at rukhsana.hashmat@nhsbt.nhs.uk or your Customer Service Manager.

Information about PAS

The introduction of PAS for the storage of apheresis platelets represents an evidence-based step forward in transfusion safety and component standardisation. Traditionally, platelets have been suspended in 100% donor plasma; however, re-suspending platelets in a mixture PAS and plasma offers several clinical and operational benefits. The decreased plasma content lowers the risk of adverse transfusion reactions and reduces the potential for transmission of plasma-borne pathogens. PAS also supports more efficient plasma utilisation within the blood supply chain.

Clinical studies and international experience have shown that using PAS does not compromise the efficacy or safety of platelet transfusions. As such, PAS platelets are increasingly being adopted as standard practice in many countries. 

Dr Samah Alimam and the project team