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Re-freezing thawed FFP, and relabeling the refrozen product as 'frozen plasma' with a new expiration date

A colleague in Louisiana reports that her hospital's transfusion service supports an active Trauma Center. Component usage, especially Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP), can be very high when a Massive Transfusion Protocol is activated or a surgery patient has a bleeding problem. At times, excess FFP is thawed in order to stay ahead of the emergency orders issued by surgery. If this FFP is not transfused within 24 hours, they change the expiration date to 5 days post thaw and rename the component 'Plasma'. Her facility is trying to decrease wastage of plasma products (FFP/thawed plasma). She wonders if any facilities have contemplated re-freezing thawed FFP, and relabeling the refrozen product as 'frozen plasma' with a new expiration date of 5 years from the date collected, and re-thawing (for a second time) for transfusion as thawed plasma when needed? If so, are restrictions imposed regarding the category of patients who would be eligible to receive this product?

Please submit comments to the e-Network Forum.

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

W. Tait Stevens, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Assistant Editor & Moderator
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Posted: February 29, 2008

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