RESUMO
BACKGROUND: A survey of US hospitals was conducted to increase our understanding of the current state of platelet (PLT) practice and supply. The survey captures information on transfusion practice and inventory management, including stock levels, outdate rates, ability to return or transfer PLTs, and low dose PLTs. Notably, the survey also elucidates PLT availability challenges and impact to patient care. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A 27 question online survey was distributed directly to over 995 US hospitals and indirectly through blood centers to many more between September 27 and October 25, 2019. Descriptive statistics were used for respondent characteristics. Bivariate analysis was performed and correlation coefficients, chi square tests, and p values determined statistical significance of relationships between variables. RESULTS: Four hundred and eighty-one hospitals completed the survey of which 21.6%, 53.2%, and 25.2% were characterized as small, medium, and large hospitals, respectively. Some key observations from this survey include: (1) there is an opportunity for greater adherence to evidence-based guidelines; (2) higher outdate rates occur in hospitals stocking less than five PLTs and the ability to return or transfer PLTs lowers outdates; (3) use of low dose apheresis PLTs varies; and (4) decreased PLT availability is commonly reported, especially in hospitals with high usage, and can lead to delays in transfusions or surgeries. CONCLUSION: This survey represents a comprehensive national assessment of inventory management practices and PLT availability challenges in US hospitals. Findings from this survey can be used to guide further research, help shape future guidance for industry, and assist with policy decisions.
Assuntos
Plaquetas , Transfusão de Plaquetas , Bancos de Sangue , Doadores de Sangue/provisão & distribuição , Plaquetas/citologia , Preservação de Sangue , Hospitais , Humanos , Estados UnidosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The Verax PGD rapid test for bacteria in platelets (PLTs) has been updated to simplify workflow and improve specificity and sensitivity by employing a novel sequential format. The performance of this updated version, called PGDprime, was evaluated to determine its suitability for use as an FDA-cleared "safety measure" to supplant the current PGD test. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Three consecutive cGMP-manufactured lots of PGDprime were evaluated for specificity (at three separate sites), sensitivity, reproducibility, interfering substances, assay robustness, and detection in analytical growth and ultralow-inoculum growth studies. PGDprime's performance was compared to that of PGD. RESULTS: Specificity studies yielded no false-positive results among 3802 individual indate PLTs of seven different types (observed specificity, 100%). PGDprime detected all 10 PGD claim bacteria at the same limit of detection or better. Wild-type Gram-negative bacteria growing in PLTs were detected at earlier elapsed times than PGD by 12 to 30 hours. In growth studies, PGDprime detected bacteria growing in PLTs within the same 12-hour interval as PGD or 12 to 48 hours earlier. Assay reproducibility was not affected by operator, day of test, or manufacturing lot. PGDprime tolerated a wide variation in volume transfers, timing, temperature, and relative humidity and was not affected by 15 of 16 potential interferents found in samples at extremely high or low levels. CONCLUSION: The PGD test has been successfully updated to PGDprime with an innovative sequential assay format to deliver a robust simplified workflow and improved specificity and sensitivity.
Assuntos
Técnicas de Tipagem Bacteriana , Plaquetas/microbiologia , Segurança do Sangue , Bactérias Gram-Negativas/classificação , Técnicas Bacteriológicas , HumanosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Hemolytic reactions (HRs) are rare serious adverse events after immune globulin (IG) use. Our large claims-based study evaluated occurrence of same-day hemolysis after administration of different IG products and potential risk factors, during the 2008 to 2014 study period. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a large commercial administrative database. The study included individuals exposed to IG products as identified by procedure codes. HRs were ascertained using ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes. Unadjusted same-day hemolysis rates (per 1000 persons) were estimated overall, by age, sex, and IG products. Multivariable regression analyses were used to evaluate potential risk factors. RESULTS: Of 20,440 persons exposed, 211 (10.3 per 1000) had same-day HRs. The median numbers of doses for IG users with versus without same-day hemolysis were one and six, respectively. The unadjusted product-specific HR rates ranged from 1.92 for subcutaneous product Hizentra to 17.99 for intravenous Octagam. The multivariable regression analyses showed significantly increased same-day HR risk in males and in IG users with histories of hemolysis, pneumonia, and hereditary hemolytic anemias. Compared to Gammagard Liquid, significantly elevated overall hemolysis risk was identified with Octagam (odds ratio, 2.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-5.35), using Firth's method to account for small sample size bias. CONCLUSION: The study showed variation in the same-day IG-related hemolysis by age, sex, and IG products administered. The results suggest importance of underlying health conditions, especially prior hemolysis, and first IG product dose. Differences in HR occurrence may also be explained by product manufacturing processes, indications, routes, and rates of administration, which warrant further investigation.
Assuntos
Hemólise/imunologia , Imunoglobulinas Intravenosas/efeitos adversos , Imunoglobulinas/efeitos adversos , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Estudos de Coortes , Bases de Dados Factuais , Grupos Diagnósticos Relacionados , Feminino , Humanos , Imunoglobulinas/administração & dosagem , Imunoglobulinas Intravenosas/imunologia , Lactente , Injeções Subcutâneas , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Fatores de Tempo , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Bacterially contaminated platelets (PLTs) remain a serious risk. The Food and Drug Administration has issued draft guidance recommending hospitals implement secondary testing or transfuse PLTs that have been treated with pathogen reduction technology (PRT). The cost implications of these approaches are not well understood. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We modeled incurred costs when hospitals acquire, process, and transfuse PLTs that are PRT treated with INTERCEPT (Cerus Corp.) or secondary tested with the PLT PGD Test (Verax Biomedical). RESULTS: Hospitals will spend $221.27 (30.0%) more per PRT-treated apheresis PLT unit administered compared to a Zika-tested apheresis PLT unit that is irradiated and PGD tested in hospital. This difference is reflected in PRT PLT units having: 1) a higher hospital purchase price ($100.00 additional charge compared to an untreated PLT); 2) lower therapeutic effectiveness than untreated PLTs among hematologic-oncologic patients, which contributes to additional transfusions ($96.05); or 3) fewer PLT storage days, which contributes to higher outdating cost from expired PLTs ($67.87). Only a small portion of the incremental costs for PRT-treated PLTs are offset by costs that may be avoided, including primary bacterial culture, secondary bacterial testing ($26.65), hospital irradiation ($8.50), Zika testing ($4.47), and other costs ($3.03). CONCLUSION: The significantly higher cost of PRT-treated PLTs over PGD-tested PLTs should interest stakeholders. For hospitals that outdate PLTs, savings associated with expiration extension to 7 days by adding PGD testing will likely be substantially greater than the cost of implementing PGD-testing. Our findings might usefully inform a hospital's decision to select a particular blood safety approach.
Assuntos
Plaquetas/microbiologia , Transfusão de Plaquetas/efeitos adversos , Hemocultura/economia , Preservação de Sangue/economia , Desinfecção/economia , Humanos , Transfusão de Plaquetas/economia , Risco , Esterilização/economiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure (ARF) is a rare serious adverse event after immune globulin (IG) use. Our large claims-based study evaluated occurrence of same-day ARF after administration of different IGs and ascertained potential risk factors, during the 2008 to 2014 study period. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a large commercial administrative database. The cohort included individuals exposed to IG products as identified by procedure codes. ARF was ascertained using ICD-9-CM diagnoses. Unadjusted same-day ARF rates (per 1000 persons exposed) were estimated overall and by age, sex, and IG products. Regression analyses were conducted to control for confounding and assess potential risk factors. RESULTS: Of 20,440 persons exposed, 163 (7.97 per 1000) had a recorded same-day ARF. The unadjusted nonzero same-day ARF rates (per 1000) ranged from 1.92 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.05-10.69) for Hizentra to 16.97 (95% CI, 11.36-24.37) for Privigen and differed by sex. In multivariate analyses, compared to Gammagard Liquid, no significantly elevated ARF risks were identified with any IGs. A significantly lower odds ratio was identified with Gamunex, 0.53 (95% CI, 0.30-0.93). Age 45 and over, prior renal impairment, hypertension, and other factors were associated with increased risk of same-day ARF. CONCLUSION: The study showed variation in the risk of IG-related ARF by age, sex, and IG products. The study results suggest the importance of recipient factors, such as older age and underlying health conditions. Variations in ARF occurrence may also be explained by product dosage, administration route and rate, and manufacturing processes, which warrant further evaluation.
Assuntos
Injúria Renal Aguda/epidemiologia , Imunoglobulinas/administração & dosagem , Injúria Renal Aguda/induzido quimicamente , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Estudos de Coortes , Feminino , Humanos , Imunoglobulinas/efeitos adversos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Fatores de Tempo , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The AABB (formerly, the American Association of Blood Banks) developed this guideline on appropriate use of platelet transfusion in adult patients. METHODS: These guidelines are based on a systematic review of randomized, clinical trials and observational studies (1900 to September 2014) that reported clinical outcomes on patients receiving prophylactic or therapeutic platelet transfusions. An expert panel reviewed the data and developed recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. RECOMMENDATION 1: The AABB recommends that platelets should be transfused prophylactically to reduce the risk for spontaneous bleeding in hospitalized adult patients with therapy-induced hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia. The AABB recommends transfusing hospitalized adult patients with a platelet count of 10 × 109 cells/L or less to reduce the risk for spontaneous bleeding. The AABB recommends transfusing up to a single apheresis unit or equivalent. Greater doses are not more effective, and lower doses equal to one half of a standard apheresis unit are equally effective. (Grade: strong recommendation; moderate-quality evidence). RECOMMENDATION 2: The AABB suggests prophylactic platelet transfusion for patients having elective central venous catheter placement with a platelet count less than 20 × 109 cells/L. (Grade: weak recommendation; low-quality evidence). RECOMMENDATION 3: The AABB suggests prophylactic platelet transfusion for patients having elective diagnostic lumbar puncture with a platelet count less than 50 × 109 cells/L. (Grade: weak recommendation; very-low-quality evidence). RECOMMENDATION 4: The AABB suggests prophylactic platelet transfusion for patients having major elective nonneuraxial surgery with a platelet count less than 50 × 109 cells/L. (Grade: weak recommendation; very-low-quality evidence). RECOMMENDATION 5: The AABB recommends against routine prophylactic platelet transfusion for patients who are nonthrombocytopenic and have cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The AABB suggests platelet transfusion for patients having bypass who exhibit perioperative bleeding with thrombocytopenia and/or evidence of platelet dysfunction. (Grade: weak recommendation; very-low-quality evidence). RECOMMENDATION 6: The AABB cannot recommend for or against platelet transfusion for patients receiving antiplatelet therapy who have intracranial hemorrhage (traumatic or spontaneous). (Grade: uncertain recommendation; very-low-quality evidence).
Assuntos
Hemorragia/prevenção & controle , Transfusão de Plaquetas , Adulto , Ponte Cardiopulmonar/efeitos adversos , Cateteres Venosos Centrais/efeitos adversos , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Eletivos/efeitos adversos , Humanos , Hemorragias Intracranianas/terapia , Punção Espinal/efeitos adversos , Trombocitopenia/complicações , Trombocitopenia/etiologiaRESUMO
This white paper provides a summary of presentations and discussions that were held at an Anticoagulant-Induced Bleeding and Reversal Agents Think Tank co-sponsored by the Cardiac Safety Research Consortium and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at the FDA's White Oak Headquarters on April 22, 2014. Attention focused on a development pathway for reversal agents for the novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs). This is important because anticoagulation is still widely underused for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. Undertreatment persists, although NOACs, in general, overcome some of the difficulties associated with anticoagulation provided by vitamin K antagonists. One reason for the lack of a wider uptake is the absence of NOAC reversal agents. As there are neither widely accepted academic and industry standards nor a definitive regulatory policy on the development of such reversal agents, this meeting provided a forum for leaders in the fields of cardiovascular clinical trials and cardiovascular safety to discuss the issues and develop recommendations. Attendees included representatives from pharmaceutical companies; regulatory agencies; end point adjudication specialist groups; contract research organizations; and active, academically based physicians. There was wide and solid consensus that NOACs overall offer improvements in convenience, efficacy, and safety compared with warfarin, even without reversal agents. Still, it was broadly accepted that it would be helpful to have reversal agents available for clinicians to use. Because it is not feasible to do definitive outcomes studies demonstrating a reversal agent's clinical benefits, it was felt that these agents could be approved for use in life-threatening bleeding situations if the molecules were well characterized preclinically, their pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles were well understood, and showed no harmful adverse events in early human testing. There was also consensus that after such approval, efforts should be made to augment the available clinical information until such time as there is a body of evidence to demonstrate real-world clinical outcomes with the reversal agents. No recommendations were made for more generalized use of these agents in the setting of non-life-threatening situations. This article reflects the views of the authors and should not be construed to represent FDA's views or policies.
Assuntos
Anticoagulantes/efeitos adversos , Anticoagulantes/uso terapêutico , Hemorragia/prevenção & controle , Administração Oral , Anticorpos Monoclonais Humanizados/uso terapêutico , Arginina/análogos & derivados , Arginina/uso terapêutico , Doenças Cardiovasculares/tratamento farmacológico , Fator Xa/uso terapêutico , Inibidores do Fator Xa/uso terapêutico , Hemorragia/induzido quimicamente , Humanos , Piperazinas/uso terapêutico , Proteínas Recombinantes/uso terapêutico , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/prevenção & controleAssuntos
Plaquetas , Diagnóstico Pré-Implantação , Feminino , Hospitais , Humanos , Gravidez , Cruz VermelhaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Posttransfusion purpura (PTP) is a serious transfusion complication resulting in sudden thrombocytopenia with bleeding. The study's objective was to assess PTP occurrence and potential risk factors among the inpatient US elderly, ages 65 and older, during 2011 through 2012. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This retrospective claims-based study utilized large Medicare databases for calendar years 2011 and 2012. Transfusions of blood and blood components were identified by recorded ICD-9-CM procedure codes and revenue center codes, and PTP was ascertained via ICD-9-CM diagnosis code. Our study evaluated PTP rates (per 100,000 inpatient transfusion stays) among elderly Medicare beneficiaries, overall and by age, sex, race, number of units, and blood components transfused. Multivariate regression analyses were used to assess potential risk factors. RESULTS: Among 4,336,338 inpatient transfusion stays for elderly beneficiaries during the study period, 78 had a PTP diagnosis code recorded, an overall rate of 1.8 per 100,000 stays. PTP occurrence varied by the blood components, units transfused, and other characteristics. Significantly higher odds of PTP were found for platelet (PLT)-containing transfusions, with greater number of units transfused, as well as for elderly with histories of cardiac arrhythmias (odds ratio [OR], 2.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43-4.93), coagulopathy (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.01-3.21), leukemia (OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.07-5.26), transplant (OR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.41-5.09), and other conditions. CONCLUSION: Our population-based study suggests a substantially higher PTP risk with PLT-containing transfusions. The study also suggests increased PTP risk with greater number of units transfused as well as the importance of underlying health conditions and prior recipient alloimmunization for PTP occurrence among the elderly.
Assuntos
Transfusão de Componentes Sanguíneos/efeitos adversos , Plaquetas , Bases de Dados Factuais , Medicare , Púrpura Trombocitopênica/epidemiologia , Púrpura Trombocitopênica/etiologia , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Arritmias Cardíacas/epidemiologia , Arritmias Cardíacas/terapia , Feminino , Humanos , Leucemia/terapia , Masculino , Transplante de Órgãos , Fatores de Risco , Estados UnidosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a serious complication leading to pulmonary edema and respiratory failure. This study's objective was to assess TRALI occurrence and potential risk factors among inpatient US elderly Medicare beneficiaries, ages 65 and older, during 2007 through 2011. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This retrospective claims-based study utilized large Medicare administrative databases. Transfusions were identified by recorded procedure and revenue center codes. TRALI was ascertained via ICD-9-CM diagnosis code. The study evaluated TRALI rates among the inpatient elderly overall and by calendar year, age, sex, race, blood components, and units transfused. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess potential risk factors. RESULTS: Of 11,378,264 inpatient transfusion stays for elderly Medicare beneficiaries, 2556 had a recorded TRALI diagnosis code, an overall rate of 22.46 per 100,000 stays. TRALI rates were higher for platelet (PLT)- and plasma-containing transfusions and increased by year and number of units transfused (p < 0.0001). Significantly higher odds of TRALI were also found for persons ages 65 to 79 years versus more than 79 years (OR, 1.19; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.09-1.29), females versus males (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.16-1.38), white versus nonwhite (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.27-1.66), and with 6-month histories of postinflammatory pulmonary fibrosis (OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.52-2.20), tobacco use (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.00-1.26), and other diseases. CONCLUSION: Our study among the elderly suggests TRALI to be a severe event and identifies a substantially increased TRALI occurrence with greater number of units and with PLT- or plasma-containing transfusions. The study also suggests importance of underlying health conditions, prior recipient alloimmunization, and nonimmune mechanism in TRALI development among the elderly.
Assuntos
Lesão Pulmonar Aguda/etiologia , Reação Transfusional , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Pacientes Internados/estatística & dados numéricos , Masculino , Medicare/estatística & dados numéricos , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Estados UnidosAssuntos
Plaquetas , Plaquetoferese , Infecções Bacterianas , Laboratórios , Transfusão de PlaquetasRESUMO
Platelets for transfusion in the US are stored at room temperature which is associated with a risk of bacterial transmission and subsequent sepsis. A recent FDA Final Guidance has been issued with options to mitigate this risk while maintaining or enhancing platelet availability.Storage had been limited to five days for many years due to the risk of bacterial growth. The short shelf-life has resulted in a national outdate rate of approximately 16%. FDA has recently cleared two devices as "safety measures" the use of which now allows seven-day platelet storage in bags cleared for this option. The Platelet PGD Test (Verax Biomedical, Marlborough, MA) is one such device and the other is the bioMérieux BacT/Alert Microbial Detection System (Durham, NC). These "safety measure" options are included in the Final Guidance.In 2018 and 2019, we conducted a survey of 16 blood collection centers and 66 hospitals that use the PGD Test to extend platelet dating to seven days to ascertain how this has resulted in reduced outdating and thereby saved costs. The surveyed institutions were collectively responsible for 21-22% of the annual volume of platelet transfusions in the US.The blood collection centers reported that extension of platelet storage to seven days resulted in a mean outdate reduction of 69% (median 67%, range 23%-92%) and mean cost savings of $415,000 (median $300,000, range $150,000-$900,000). The hospitals reported that extension of platelet storage to seven days resulted in a mean outdate reduction of 74% (median 80%, range 17%-100%) and mean cost savings of $176,803 (median $150,000, range $30,000-$1,200,000). Hospitals saved 24,080 platelet doses annually and blood centers saved 18,700 doses annually. From these institutions alone, this represents a savings of more than 2% of platelet transfusions in the US.Extending platelet shelf-life to seven days with the PGD Test significantly reduced outdating of this valuable resource, increased product availability in accord with FDA Final Guidance recommendations, and saved more money than bacterial testing costs in the surveyed institutions.Results have been presented in part at the Association of Clinical Scientists Annual Meeting, Hershey, PA May 2019.
Assuntos
Preservação de Sangue/métodos , Transfusão de Plaquetas/economia , Transfusão de Plaquetas/métodos , Plaquetas/metabolismo , Preservação de Sangue/economia , Transfusão de Sangue/métodos , Redução de Custos/métodos , Redução de Custos/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Manejo de Espécimes/métodos , Estados UnidosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The objectives of this time-series study were to elucidate the impact of a thawed plasma standard operating procedure (TP SOP) on plasma wastage and on cost savings. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This study compared plasma wastage for 1 year before versus 1 year after implementation of a TP SOP. RESULTS: The plasma wastage and discard declined 79.7 and 64.9%, respectively, with a cost savings of $15,654.79 during the 1 year after implementation of the TP SOP. The risk that a unit of plasma would be wasted decreased 86.2% from Year 1 to Year 2 and the risk that a unit of plasma would be discarded decreased 76.3% from Year 1 to Year 2. CONCLUSION: Our study showed the positive, sustained, impact of implementing a TP SOP. Twelve months after introducing the SOP our Blood Bank and Transfusion Medicine Services' plasma wastage and discard were dramatically reduced, saving thousands of dollars. Initiating a TP SOP just makes sense; it is easy to implement, conserves plasma, and saves cents.
Assuntos
Armazenamento de Sangue/métodos , Bancos de Sangue/economia , Preservação de Sangue/economia , Resíduos de Serviços de Saúde/economia , Plasma , Bancos de Sangue/estatística & dados numéricos , Redução de Custos , Criopreservação/economia , Humanos , Resíduos de Serviços de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
Transfusion Medicine is a dynamically evolving field. Recent high-quality research has reshaped the paradigms guiding blood transfusion. As increasing evidence supports the benefit of limiting transfusion, guidelines have been developed and disseminated into clinical practice governing optimal transfusion of red cells, platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate. Concepts ranging from transfusion thresholds to prophylactic use to maximal storage time are addressed in guidelines. Patient blood management programs have developed to implement principles of patient safety through limiting transfusion in clinical practice. Data from National Hemovigilance Surveys showing dramatic declines in blood utilization over the past decade demonstrate the practical uptake of current principles guiding patient safety. In parallel with decreasing use of traditional blood products, the development of new technologies for blood transfusion such as freeze drying and cold storage has accelerated. Approaches to policy decision making to augment blood safety have also changed. Drivers of these changes include a deeper understanding of emerging threats and adverse events based on hemovigilance, and an increasing healthcare system expectation to align blood safety decision making with approaches used in other healthcare disciplines.
Assuntos
Armazenamento de Sangue/métodos , Transfusão de Sangue/métodos , Preservação de Sangue/métodos , Segurança do Sangue/métodos , Humanos , Medicina Transfusional/métodosAssuntos
Radioisótopos de Césio/uso terapêutico , Procedimentos de Redução de Leucócitos/métodos , Guias de Prática Clínica como Assunto/normas , Transfusão de Sangue/métodos , Radioisótopos de Césio/efeitos adversos , Radioisótopos de Césio/economia , Doença Enxerto-Hospedeiro/etiologia , Doença Enxerto-Hospedeiro/prevenção & controle , Humanos , Leucócitos/efeitos da radiação , Reação TransfusionalRESUMO
The most common infectious risk from blood transfusion in the United States is bacterial contamination of platelet components. Although detection of bacterially contaminated platelet components is best achieved with a culture system, AABB standards permit alternatives including the use of staining methods or reagent strips. In this study, 13,216 consecutive platelet components were screened using reagent strips for evidence of the presence of bacteria. Testing was performed immediately prior to release of the platelet components for transfusion; 10,836 were collected locally and 2,380 were imported from other blood banks. A mix of whole-blood-derived and apheresis products was included. If either the glucose concentration was <250 mg/ml or the pH was <7.0, the platelet component was quarantined and a specimen was obtained for Gram's stain and culture. Every transfused platelet component that was associated with a reported transfusion reaction was also tested by Gram's stain and culture. Overall, 1.47% of imported platelet components were reactive while only 0.12% of locally collected platelets were reactive. Of 48 reactive platelet components, 44 were tested by Gram's stain and culture. None was found to be bacterially contaminated. In summary, imported platelet components were significantly more likely to be falsely reactive by reagent strip screening as compared to locally prepared platelet components.