AABB and ASFA Partner to Publish Indication Categories
for Apheresis Therapy

Updated Indications Offer the Most Comprehensive Current Listing for
Primary, Secondary and Adjunctive Apheresis Treatments

BETHESDA, MD – The American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) and the American Society for Apheresis (ASFA), in a collaborative effort, have endorsed identical indication categories for therapeutic apheresis. This new information, published in the June 2003 issue of Transfusion, contains changes in AABB positions that reflect advances in research and clinical practice. Therapeutic apheresis, the practice of removing cells or plasma from the patient’s circulation so as to allow improvement, offers treatment options for numerous susceptible clinical disorders such as transplant rejection, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and certain renal disorders, among others. Both organizations propose updating this list of indication categories for therapeutic apheresis at least once every three years.

“This information provides the most up-to-date list of established indications available to the health care community,” said Paul M. Ness, MD, Editor of Transfusion. “This information helps to establish new possibilities for the application of therapeutic apheresis.”

Prior to the 1970’s when the modern practice of therapeutic apheresis began, research in this field was based primarily on uncontrolled or anecdotal clinical experiences. The current preference is to rely on evidence from controlled trials to assess indications and efficacy of therapeutic apheresis as a primary, secondary or adjunctive treatment.

“The current study of therapeutic apheresis significantly affects many other areas within the health care community,” said Irene Zielinski, RN, HP (ASCP), past President of ASFA. “The collaborative efforts from both the AABB Hemapheresis Committee and the ASFA Writing Committee will hopefully serve as a model for future joint projects involving professional organizations.”

The paper and updated indication categories are featured in the June 2003 issue of Transfusion. For information on how to obtain a copy of Transfusion visit the AABB Web site at www.aabb.org or Blackwell Publishing at www.blackwellpublishing.com.

About AABB

Established in 1947, the American Association of Blood Banks is an international association of blood banks, including hospital and community blood centers, transfusion and transplantation services and individuals involved in activities related to transfusion and transplantation medicine. The AABB supports high standards of medical, technical and administrative performance, scientific investigation, clinical application and education. It is dedicated to encouraging the voluntary donation of blood and other tissues and organs through education, public information and research. AABB member facilities are responsible for collecting virtually all of the nation’s blood supply and transfusing more than 80 percent. Approximately 2,000 institutions (community and hospital blood banks, hospital transfusion services and laboratories) and 8,000 individuals are members of the AABB, including physicians, scientists, administrators, medical technologists, blood donor recruiters and public relations personnel. Members are located in all 50 states and 80 foreign countries.

About ASFA

Founded in 1982, the American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) is dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of apheresis practitioners, for training, continuing education and scholarly interactions. The central purpose of ASFA is to bring together all those involved in apheresis, including nurses, medical technologists, physicians, and other interested parties, from the United States and abroad, for sharing of ideas and experience, critical evaluation of emerging information and collaboration in research. Through meetings, publications and personal interactions, Society members work together toward the betterment of patient care with apheresis technology.