Praiseldy Langi Sasongko

190 Chapter 5 Table 5.2 Examples of challenges and improvised solutions (Continued) Step in donation process Examples of challenges Improvised solutions Predonation screening and testing of potential CCP donors – Generalized lack of knowledge of the virus, donor symptoms, antibody levels, etc. – Hindrances because of the rigidness of eProgesa that delayed donors from donating the same day. eProgesa asks for parameters (e.g., historical blood type) to be filled in, which usually takes 5 days (including validation) so that there is a multiday period between the first donor interview and the first donation. – The addition of more medical questions in the donor intake form related to their COVID-19 symptoms and progression. – The creation of a new database to store the answers to these additional questions. – Because antibody testing was not yet available, aliquots from additional samples were taken during the donation to be saved for future testing. – Workarounds found for eProgesa to allow for donors to donate on the same day: a manual fingerprick test was done, the result was manually inserted into eProgesa, the donor donated, and routine blood type was obtained from the blood bag approximately 45 min later. Both typing tests had to be the same within eProgesa or the system would give a “blood type error” warning and the product was not released. Collection methods/ collection facilities Social distancing in all collection centers, reducing capacity by 40%, along with sick staff. – Opening of plasma-only collection center with flexible hours. – Machines transported to specific locations. – Whole blood donations stopped at certain locations. – Additional hours (e.g., weekends) at certain locations. – Triage at entrance done by volunteers and donor assistants. Storage and related logistical issues – Specific tubes had to be manually differentiated among thousands of tubes; logistical issues in transporting test tubes all across the country for a clinical study. – Storage and differentiation of aliquots. – These test tubes were placed in Amsterdam and Nijmegen locations for easier transportation. – Additional freezing space was found for the additional aliquots; lab came up with an identification system to differentiate them.

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