Therapeutic apheresis is indicated for the removal of abnormal or excess blood constitutents such as leukocytes, platelets, red cells, paraproteins, and autoantibodies.

Types of therapeutic apheresis:

• plasmapheresis
• leukocytapheresis (white cell reduction)
• thrombocytapheresis (platelet reduction)
• erythrocytapheresis (red cell exchange)
• immunoadsorption

The American Red Cross also provides therapeutic phlebotomy service for patients that need this important procedure as part of their prescribed therapy.

The Red Cross offers state-of-the-art therapeutic apheresis service to physicians without costly investments in staff, equipment, and training for the hospital which may have only an occasional need for the procedure. Staying close to home during treatment and being treated by familiar health care professionals in familiar surroundings contributes to the patient’s peace of mind.

• A Red Cross physician is notified of the request and consults, as needed, with the hospital physician to arrange for any indicated preparation (overall treatment plan and schedule, laboratory testing, replacement fluids, physician orders, central access etc.)
  
• Red Cross staff travel to the hospital to perform the procedure as scheduled. A Red Cross physician is on-call at all times to provide oversight as necessary for the management of procedures not directly supervised by a physician.

Following the highest standards:

Our nursing staff holds licenses in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. The Red Cross Therapeutic Apheresis program is AABB Accredited and FACT Accredited for the collection of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells.

For more information contact Terri Myszka, RN, Program Director, at (866) 805-3500.