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Blood Products
Every day, hospitals and health care organizations face the challenge to provide vital blood products and services cost effectively.
HemaCare Corporation and its subsidiary, Coral Blood Services, Inc., have met this challenge by providing customized blood programs based on the specific needs of each health care provider.
The Company provides leading hospitals and health-related researchers with the following products:
Apheresis-Derived Blood Products
Hemapheresis or apheresis is the process of removing blood from a donor and separating the blood into various components. The desired component is retained and the remaining components are reinfused into the donor. Hemapheresis is accomplished by a machine which utilizes automated separation technology and has the capability of producing:
- Leukocytes or Granulocytes
The white cell component in blood. White cells play an important role in fighting diseases or infections that may invade the human body. Leukocytes are given to some patients that are very sick and on high doses of antibiotics. These patients are typically cancer patients. Leukocytes are the subject of current research and HemaCare provides this product to certain biotechnology companies for research purposes. Leukopheresis or granulapheresis can also be used to remove excess white cells for therapeutic purposes.
- Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are a specific kind of white cell which helps the body fight foreign matter which may enter the body. Lymphocytes may be produced in the lymph glands or in the bone marrow. The lymphocytes which are produced in the lymph glands can be responsible for transplant rejection. Lymphocytes which are produced in the bone marrow are cellular elements which help make antibodies.
- Platelets
Platelets are the body's "Band-Aids." They help form the "scab" of an open wound and, together with the clotting factors found in plasma, help stop bleeding. Unlike other blood components, platelets have a relatively short storage period of five days at room temperature.
- Stem Cells
Stem cells, which are produced in bone marrow and released into the blood, play a vital part in health because they mature into all of the blood components: red blood cells, platelets and white cells (the disease fighters). High dose chemotherapy, intended to destroy cancer cells, also destroys bone marrow and stem cells.
- Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Peripheral blood mononuclear cell collection is currently being studied in protocols for a variety of other cellular treatments. The applications include the vaccination and activation of dendritic cells, clonal expansion and activations of T-Cells.
Red Blood Cells (RBCs)
Red blood cells are the cellular components whose primary function is to carry oxygen to the vital organs. A drop in red blood cell levels from the normal range creates the condition called anemia. Anemia can result from trauma, surgery, chemotherapy or certain disease conditions. A blood transfusion can temporarily correct the anemia; however, the preferred treatment is to correct the underlying cause of the anemia.
Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)
Fresh Frozen Plasma is the liquid portion of whole blood and contains all clotting factors necessary to help reduce or stop bleeding. There are thirteen clotting factors found in plasma, all needed to maintain hemostasis (stoppage of bleeding).
Cryoprecipitate AHF (Anti-Hemophiliac Factor)
A small portion of plasma which contains specific clotting factors. If bleeding is caused by a deficiency in clotting factors, cryoprecipitates are generally infused to correct the bleeding problem.
Cryoprecipitate - Poor (Cryo-Poor) Plasma
Cryo-Poor Plasma is similar to Fresh Frozen Plasma except that the cryoprecipitate is removed from the plasma. Cryo-Poor Plasma is used in the treatment of patients with certain autoimmune diseases.
Therapeutic Exchange Plasma (TEP)
TEP is plasma containing rare antibodies obtained from patients undergoing therapeutic plasma exchange procedures (therapeutic apheresis). HemaCare's TEP license includes multiple myeloma, Waldenstroms, lupus and rheumatoid factor.
To obtain more information on our blood products, contact us.
Customized Blood Donor Programs
With our focus on increased blood and blood product availability, blood donor convenience and reduced costs, HemaCare and Coral Blood Services successfully operate and manage customized blood donor programs. Our Hospital partnership donor programs include the following:
- Specialized blood collections and services, including single donor platelets, plasma and red blood cell collection, stem cell harvesting, therapeutic apheresis, leukapheresis and support services for research programs
- Operation of blood donor facilities, where physicians refer patients and friends/families for autologous and directed donations
- Community mobile blood drives to collect blood from community groups supportive of the health care facility
- Donor testing to support Hospital-based donor programs
- Procurement of human-derived cellular products for research needs and protocols
Hospital Benefits
- Increases the availability of blood and blood products
- Reduces blood costs
- HemaCare provides all regulatory and quality assurance support of the program
- Provides patients and patients' families with conveniently-located donation sites with flexible hours of operation
- Improves the hospital's visibility in the community it serves
Services Provided
Every HemaCare/Coral donor program is designed to meet the specific needs of each hospital customer. Programs may include:
- Collection, processing and testing of blood and blood products
- Regulatory compliance and quality assurance support of the blood donor program
- Resources sharing of the blood products with hospital affiliates
Component Collection Programs
- Single-donor platelet (leukoreduced), red cell and plasma collection
- Allogeneic blood collection
- Autologous/Directed donation program
- Donor recruitment services
- Community mobile drives conducted in the name of the hospital in your local community
- Blood donor testing
- Irradiation services
To arrange for a Customized Blood Donor proposal for your institution, contact us.
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