Perioperative Autologous Cell Salvage (PACS), also known as intraoperative cell salvage or cell saver, is recognized as an effective transfusion option for many surgical patients who need blood transfusions. PACS can be used for nearly every surgery where moderate to heavy bleeding is expected. As with any medical procedure, a risk-benefit determination should be considered. PACS is an important option for persons who cannot donate blood in advance of planned surgery for medical, religious or scheduling reasons.

What is PACS?
PACS refers to the collection, processing, and return of patient’s own blood lost during surgical procedures or due to trauma. PACS is most commonly used in orthopedic, vascular, cardiac, neurologic, gynecologic, urologic, transplant and trauma surgeries.

The benefits of autologous transfusion include:

• Conservation of allogeneic donor blood inventories;
• Reduction of disease transmission and fewer transfusion reactions;
• Prevention of alloimmunization to red blood cell, platelet and leukocyte antigens.

The Red Cross PACS program offers medical oversight and quality control, as well as medical and technical consultation 24 hours a day, every day.

How is it performed?
Under centrifugation, red cells are separated from the remaining whole blood components and washed with an isotonic solution, and then made available for immediate transfusion to the patient. The washing process eliminates hazardous materials such as clotting factors and foreign matter, which can cause transfusion complications.

• The Red Cross uses state-of-the-art cell salvage equipment and supplies all the necessary disposables for collection, processing, and return of autologous red cells.
• We provide a dedicated, certified operator for all procedures and we are available on a 24 hour/7 day scheduled and emergency basis.

Following the highest standards:
Red Cross has implemented policies and procedures for the PACS program that are designed to meet the guidelines and standards of the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

How to request?
Facilities with a contract for PACS can call the Clinical Services Department at 866-805-3500 Someone is available to take your call on a 24 hour basis.

Our staff will log the scheduled procedure on our scheduling calendar. One day prior to the procedure, our staff will contact the operating room to verify that the case is still scheduled and the time that it will be taking place. Our staff will also contact the hospital blood bank at this time to inform them that the cell salvage procedure has been ordered for the patient. In cases of emergency services, our on-call operator will be paged and dispatched immediately to the hospital.

To obtain additional information or make contractual arrangements for PACS, contact Maria Henshey, Program Director, at (866) 805-3500.