Introduction, Background and Aim

BloodMove Platelets is a city wide platelet wastage minimisation project involving collaboration between the SA Health Blood, Organ and Tissues Programs Unit, the metropolitan SA Pathology Transfusion Service laboratories and the private pathology transfusion service sector.

Blood product wastage minimisation is a national stewardship obligation for all transfusion laboratories and hospitals. Platelet inventory management and wastage minimisation forms part of this stewardship. Platelet wastage is almost exclusively due to product expiry and the short product expiry time of the product represents a challenge. Financial year 2012/2013 platelet wastage rates in South Australia were 17% (equating to an approximate total product cost of $0.9 million). 

The aim of the BloodMove Platelets project was to minimise platelet wastage due to expiry