Platelets, a vital component of blood, are primarily responsible for cessation of bleeding by forming blood clots. When removed from the blood stream and subjected to component manufacturing, platelets natural response is to form clots. Manufacturing and storage processes are designed to keep the platelets from clumping together and to keep them viable by strict room temperature requirements and continual agitation. Even with this care, the transfusion products only have a 5-day shelf life. With such a short shelf life, comes high demand for donations of platelets. Platelet apheresis donors, providing up to three doses of platelets per donation, typically donate more than 6 times a year and are committed to sitting for 1 to 2 hours per donation.
Where a client’s need exceed what can be provided by a single source, BCA assist clients with identifying and securing a sufficient supply from multiple sources under a single contract. If you are interested in discussing your platelet procurement or provision needs with BCA, please contact Gena Swisher.
BCA members provide the following types of platelets though modifications in production, volume, storage, and age can be made to produce the ideal product for further manufacture or research and development:
For more information about BCA’s capabilities please contact Gena Swisher.
phone 401-381-0600
fax 401-381-0016
address 1300 Division Road, Suite 102 West Warwick, Rhode Island 02893
email info@bca.coop