Ministry of Defence
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MoD medics get latest blood transfusion technology on operations
Armed Forces medical staff on operations in Afghanistan and Iraq are being equipped with new blood supply kit which means badly injured troops can be treated more effectively.
The new equipment means combat medics can quickly call on an improved supply of "platelets" - a key part of human blood vital in generating blood clots which is used to help stop massive loss of blood caused by injuries.
Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Baroness Taylor said:
"Our medics on operations are saving more lives than ever before and it is thanks to advances in technology and research which makes this possible. I am delighted that this hi-tech, life saving machine has been accepted into service by our medical teams serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is already proving its worth."
Previously the method of providing platelets in an emergency was to take whole blood from previously screened volunteers. However four donors are needed to produce one adult dose and once a donor has donated they cannot donate again for at least 12 weeks. The new Apheresis procedure produces an adult dose of platelets, from a single donor, in approximately 45mins. As the process only takes platelets, the donor has no ill effects and can donate again within 14 days.
Unveiling the hi tech machine at DVD, DE&S Chief of Defence Materiel Land, Lt General Dick Applegate said
"Medical care on operations is rightly recognised as being second to none. Blood is an essential part of the military supply chain and the demand for platelets has increased as we are using a more aggressive approach in the treatment of massive blood loss. Using the new machine will give our medics increased flexibility during urgent requirements."
Staff Sgt Paul Lund who is the SNCO on the blood supply team added
"It is the generosity of the volunteer donors who willingly donate platelets linked with the skills of the Apheresis teams that ensure Platelet Apheresis is an effective and versatile tool that the clinicians can out to good use by providing appropriate blood component therapy when needed. This has been demonstrated on at least 3 occasions since its introduction in February when injured troops have received platelets donated by volunteers on operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq."
The machines are made by Glasgow based Haemonetics UK Ltd. They are widely used in the National Blood Service and by the US Military Medical Services.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
* Currently, platelets that are vital in the clotting process are supplied from the UK to the operational theatres but only have a shelf life of five days. The new Apheresis machines will address any shortfall of platelets during incidents of massive blood loss, by automatically separating the donor's red cells, platelets and plasma, collecting the platelets for use and returning the red cells and plasma to the donor.
* The Apheresis process is a collaboration of both Biomedical Scientists (BMS) and Registered Nurses (RN). The BMS sets up the machine, undertakes the donor selection procedure and performs the quality monitoring of the collected platelets. The RN does the venepuncture and donor care. Medical Officer support is available if required.
* Each machine costs £500,000 including support costs and training.
* Although the technique is not new, the use of Apheresis in the operational environment is novel for the UK Armed Forces.
* The whole blood from the donor is collected into a bowl (Latham Bowl), via a single needle. The bowl is centrifuged and because of the differing densities of the blood components they separate out into layers. An optical sensor, on the top of the bowl, triggers valves to open and diverts the plasma into a collecting bag, once the next layer is detected, which contains the white cells and platelets, this is diverted to another bag. The white cells are removed by a leuco-depletion filter leaving just the platelets in the bag. The remaining red cells and the plasma are then returned to the donor through the same needle. This is done on a number of cycles to achieve an adult dose. The needle, bowl and the collecting bags are a sterile secure system and are only used once.
* Support in theatre is provided by trained military technicians who do basic maintenance. Daily user maintenance is undertaken by the BMS. In the event of problems that cannot be resolved by the MDSS support, the machine would be returned to the UK. There are back up machines in UK which can be sent out if required. Both theatres have two machines.
