OBJECTIVES

: The aim of this study is to review and summarize the existing literature related to the Automated Blood Processing System (ABPS) and Bottom-To-Top (BAT) semiautomated blood processing system to understand and compare the operational features from both Whole Blood (WB) processing systems and position the most appropriate one for Blood Bank Centers that want to maximize their WB productions.

METHODS

: We 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. We also assessed the Automated Blood Processing System Operator’s Manual for Version 1.1 and the company’s lab testing, as well as performing a process timing measurement of the ABPS in a large Spanish blood bank center.

RESULTS

: ABPS can process up to 4 Whole Blood (WB) units in one cycle that lasts between 23-25 minutes requiring only one operator and can reach 18.000 WB units processed per year. Moreover, one single operator can handle 4 ABPS and process up to 288 WB units per day, and 72.000 WB units per year. The BAT system can process up to 4 WB units in one cycle with one operator. The average cycle takes 34 minutes, thus reaching 13.235 WB units per year. ABPS’ Operator training time is 16 hours, compared with several days or weeks for the BAT system. With ABPS, the operator performs 9 steps from taking the 4 WB units to the final blood components and requires 1 device that takes 1,13m² room space and 1 standard operation procedure (SOP). The BAT system requires 26 steps, minimum 3 different type of devices, more room space and several SOPs.

CONCLUSIONS

: ABPS provides a less human-dependent, less time consuming, more efficient and standardized option for WB processing versus the BAT system.