OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to review and summarize existing literature related to this processing technology to understand the available data. The Automated Blood Processing System (ABPS) can process up to four Whole Blood (WB) units simultaneously into a red blood cell unit, an interim platelet unit, and a plasma unit. It provides an alternative solution to the semi-automatic or manual WB processing methods.

METHODS

: We have performed a Literature Review through the PubMed Database, the ISPOR Publication Database, the International Society of Blood Transfusion Database, the Transfusion Database and using the Embase® search engine. The first search yielded a total of 78 scientific publications. After the abstract screening and the criteria assessment, 49 were excluded from the final review.

RESULTS

: From the 29 scientific publications gathered in the literature review, 14 (48%) reported that the ABPS is compliant with diverse international standards of Blood quality and safety; 9 (31%) reported that the implementation of ABPS increases the efficiency of WB processing, blood bank operations and productivity; 3 (10,5%) reported that ABPS’ red blood cell concentrates (RBCs) have higher Hemoglobin content than semi-automatic or manual WB Processing methods using Top-to-Bottom and (in 1 of these, ABPS’ RBCs have lower Hemoglobin content than Top-to-Top methods); 2 (7%) analyzed the different processing protocols of ABPS linked with quality standards; 1 (3.5%) reported that quality granulocyte concentrates can be obtained with the ABPS.

CONCLUSIONS

: ABPS provides the flexibility to comply with quality standards from international guidelines and regulatory entities. ABPS has the capability to increase blood bank operations, procedure efficiency and productivity, and reduce the operational processing time. Higher hemoglobin content can be obtain using ABPS compared to Top-to-Bottom methods. However, due to the limited evidence on this technical hematological aspect, we encourage healthcare and blood bank centers to perform additional research to quantify it.