Several members of the e-network have raised questions about the use of leukocyte-reduced blood products, including the need to convert their local blood inventory to one that is 100% leukocyte reduced. The following discussions/announcements/bulletins have been posted or linked to the CBBS e-network forum, and have served (at least in part), to address some of the issues surrounding the use of leukocyte-reduced blood products:

• Universal Leukoreduction - Hospital Viewpoints
• Who considers leukoreduced cellular blood products equivalent to those made from CMV seronegative donors?
• AABB Assoc. Bulletin 99-7; Leukocyte Reduction
• Guidance for Industry: Pre-Storage Leukocyte Reduction of Whole Blood and Blood Components Intended for Transfusion (Draft Guidance)

The College of American Pathologists has very recently adopted a Policy on Universal Leukoreduction. 

AND, while you are navigating the CAP website, you might want to check the story entitled "FDA Tightens Rule, Targets Transfusion Services" which was recently published in the April 2001 issue of CAP TODAY.

If you have any comments regarding either the CAP Policy on Universal Leukoreduction or on the article FDA Tightens Rule, Targets Transfusion Services, please please forward them to the College of American Pathologists, Attention: Keri Davison

ADDENDUM June 12, 2001

1. Please note that a few months ago a short summary was written regarding what blood banks in Tennessee were doing about Universal Leukoreduction. You can find it by going to the Tennessee Association of Blood Banks web site. This mostly addressed leukoreduction of Red Blood Cells.

ADDENDUM June 15, 2001

2. An e-Network member submitted the following comment upon reading the CAP policy: 

"The CAP's statement is fine for a perfect world.  It has been proven time and again that leaving decisions to one's "medical community" oft times gives the patient less than the best care.  Our country is not the best in medical outcomes and we need to get behind the JCAHO in promoting a certain "standard of care".  Unfortunately we cannot depend on the education of the individual physician to determine when to use Leukoreduced cells and when it is OK to just used "plain 'ol" packed cells.  While universal leukoreduction may be overkill in some instances, it prevents the opposite problem.  A patient who needs leukoreduction and doesn't get it has the potential for more harm from the product than the patient who didn't need it and got leukoreduced blood anyway." 

Please submit comments to the e-Network Forum.

Ira A. Shulman, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Editor & Moderator