US Naval Hospital Okinawa prepares for platelet donations

Photo By Sgt. Alyssa N. Gunton | Jinyoung Jang shows to Petty Officer 3rd Class Mason Treherne how to use the amicus separator, which is used to separate platelets from blood during platelet apheresis donations, at the U.S. Pacific Command Armed Services Blood Bank Center at U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa here Feb. 28. The platelet apheresis method of platelet donation narrows the risk of contamination because they are able to take enough platelets from one donor, as opposed to donating blood, which takes six whole blood donations often from different donors. Jang is a product specialist for Fenwal Inc., the manufacturer of the amicus separator, and Treherne is a hospital corpsman for the center.  

CAMP LESTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

02.29.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Alyssa N. Gunton 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP LESTER, Japan - The U.S. Pacific Command Armed Services Blood Bank Center at U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa held its first platelet apheresis donation here Feb. 28.

The military and civilian staff of the center are introducing a more advanced blood donation technology. Platelet apheresis separates out one particular constituent and returns the remainders to circulation.

“Platelets are crucial to saving lives, especially women and infants during the birthing process, and are essential for blood clotting,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan A. Hoiles, the director of the center.

Platelets are also vital to the healing process and to help cure many deadly diseases.

Platelets need to be stored at room temperature and can only be kept a total of five days before running the risk of bacterial contamination, said Hoiles.

Of those five days, two are for testing, which leaves three days for them to be used by patients. Whole blood consists of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets suspended in plasma. Platelets, unlike whole blood and plasma, cannot be frozen, which is why they are constantly in high demand.

The amicus apheresis machine separates platelets from whole blood and cycles the blood back into the body during the donation process through the same needle, said Douglas R. Kennedy, the blood donor recruiter for the center.

“We are able to separate platelets from donated whole blood, but it is only one sixth of a therapeutic dose,” said Hoiles. “This product significantly decreases the risk of bacterial contamination [to the patient] by five times because it’s only coming from one donor, as opposed to six.”

“The [center] is the main provider of blood products for the pacific region,” said Kennedy. “We are the direct source for III Marine Expeditionary Force at all times. Whenever they deploy to another country, our blood goes with them to support the mission.”

Apheresis platelet donation allows for more products more often, for which there will always be a need, said Hoiles.

“Platelet donation takes approximately an hour and a half and donors typically experience fewer reactions than in whole blood donation,” said Hoiles. “The reason for this is because the donor is not losing whole blood; only platelets.”

The center is scheduled to open platelet apheresis to the public within the next few weeks. Platelet apheresis donors are able to donate every two weeks and up to 24 times a year, which is significantly more compared to donating whole blood every eight weeks.

For more information regarding donating platelets and blood, please call 643-7710 or 643-7737, visit www.facebook.com/okinawablood, or email [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 02.29.2012
• Date Posted: 03.06.2012 01:41
• Story ID: 84783
• Location: CAMP LESTER, OKINAWA, JP