Cost of Platelet Transfusion

What impacts the Cost of Platelet Transfusion?

The cost of platelet transfusion can differ, but usually, a single unit of random donor platelets (separated from overall blood) costs about ₹400 per unit in government blood banks. But, single donor platelets (received through apheresis) can cost till ₹12,000 per unit. Corporate hospitals might charge anywhere from ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 for platelet separation by apheresis.  

The cost can vary based on several factors, including the transfusion type (random donor vs. apheresis), geographic place and the setting (private vs. public hospital).  

What affects the Cost of Platelet Transfusion?  

The cost of platelet transfusions is influenced by many factors, like the source of platelets, the method of gathering, the requirement for extra treatments such as pathogen reduction, and the overall complexity of the transfusion process. Other factors are the patient's condition and the type of transfusion required, such as single-donor platelets (SDP) or pooled platelets. Let's have a look at the factors that affect the cost of a Platelet Transfusion:   

1. Source of Platelet and its Collection Method

• Apheresis : Platelets collected through apheresis are likely to be more expensive than platelets obtained from whole blood. Apheresis is a procedure in which the platelets are separated from whole blood, and the rest of the blood components are returned to the donor.  
• Single-Donor vs. Pooled : Single-donor platelets (SDP) often have a higher cost when compared to the pooled platelets.

2. Extra Treatments

• Pathogen Reduction  : Technologies such as pathogen reduction (e.g., amotosalen and ultraviolet A light) are utilized to lower the complications of transfusion-transmitted infections. This procedure adds to the overall cost. 
• Bacterial Testing : Extra bacterial testing of platelets can also increase costs.  

3. Complexity of the Transfusion Event  

• Transfusion Supplies and Materials : The cost of supplies used at the time of the transfusion procedure, such as tubing and filters, also impacts the total expense.  
• Refractoriness : Platelet refractoriness, in which the patient's body doesn't respond enough to transfused platelets, can increase costs because of the need for more transfusions, specialized platelet products (like HLA-matched platelets), and longer hospital stays. 
• Labor Costs : The time spent by healthcare professionals, like nurses, lab technicians, and administrative staff, in gathering, processing, and administering platelets contributes to the overall cost.  

4. Other Factors

• Hospital Charges : Hospitals might have various cost structures for platelet transfusions depending on their location, services offered, and negotiated rates with health insurance companies.  
• Patient Copay : Patients might incur out-of-pocket costs in the form of copays or deductibles for the transfusion and associated services.   
• Storage and Handling : The cost for storing and handling platelets, also maintaining the appropriate temperature and conditions, impacts the cost of a Platelet Transfusion.

What is a Platelet Transfusion?

Platelet transfusion is the method of infusing platelet concentrate into the human body through a vein, to prevent or treat the bleeding condition in people who have either a low platelet count or poor platelet function. This often happens in people getting cancer chemotherapy.  

What are the advantages of Platelet Transfusion?

Platelet transfusion is a medical procedure that helps prevent or stop bleeding in patients who have low platelet counts or platelet function disorders. They help individuals who undergo chemotherapy or stem cell transplants, those with blood disorders, and patients who experience significant blood loss because of surgery or injury. 

• Treat and Prevent Bleeding : Platelet transfusions are important for patients who experience or are at risk of bleeding because of low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) or impaired platelet function.  
• Usage of Prophylactic : Platelets are transfused prophylactically to prevent or stop bleeding in patients who have low platelet counts before methods such as surgery or those undergoing chemotherapy or stem cell transplants.  

Support Patients with Cancer and Blood Disorders

Platelets are important for cancer patients those who undergo treatment, as they help with clotting and lower the risk of life-threatening bleeding. They play an important role in supporting patients having other blood disorders and those who have undergone stem cell transplants.   

1. Manage Blood Loss : Platelet transfusions help replace platelets lost because of major surgery or serious injuries, thus help in stabilizing patients and prevent complications. 
2. Improve Clinical Outcomes : By lowering the rate of spontaneous bleeding events, platelet transfusions can result in an enhanced clinical outcomes for patients.  
3. Single Donor Advantages : Single-donor platelet transfusions, in which platelets come from a single donor, provide benefits such as a higher platelet count and a minimal risk of transfusion-related risks.  

Which type of hospitals offer Platelet Transfusion?

Platelet transfusions are offered in any hospital that have a blood bank or transfusion medicine department. These departments manage the collection, storage, and administration of blood components, like platelets, for patients in requirement. Hospitals having specialized services such as cancer centers, trauma centers, or those doing major surgeries are likely to have these facilities.

1. Specialized Hospitals : Hospitals which handle major surgeries, trauma cases, or treat patients having haematological disorders (like cancer) tend to have robust blood transfusion services, like platelet transfusions.
2. Blood Banks and Transfusion Medicine Departments : These are the core units that manage blood products within a hospital. They ensure the availability of safe and properly tested blood components such as platelets for patients.      
3. 24/7 Availability : Several hospitals having transfusion services offer 24/7 availability to meet emergencies and critical situations.   
4. State-of-the-Art Facilities : Hospitals that have advanced blood transfusion facilities generally utilize technologies such as apheresis to gather platelets directly from donors and implement quality control measures to ensure the safety and efficacy of transfusions.    

What happens during a Platelet Transfusion?

During a platelet transfusion, platelet concentrate is infused into the bloodstream of a patient to address low platelet counts or dysfunctional platelets, thus it aims to prevent or stop bleeding. The procedure involves inserting a needle into a vein and linking it to a bag of platelet concentrate, which is then permitted to flow into the circulatory system of the patient.    

1. Preparation For Platelet Transfusion

• Blood Typing: The patient's blood is typed for ABO and RhD compatibility to reduce the complications of transfusion reactions.
• Leukoreduction: Platelet products are usually leukoreduced (white blood cells removed) to lower the complication of fever and alloimmunization.
• Irradiation: Platelets might also be irradiated to prevent or stop transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GvHD).

2. Transfusion Process

A needle is inserted into a vein, generally in the arm, and a catheter is placed. The platelet concentrate is linked to the catheter and permitted to flow in, usually taking between 30 minutes and some hours.

Major signs (temperature, pulse, etc.) are monitored or checked at the time of the transfusion.

3. Post-transfusion  

• Patients might be monitored for transfusion reactions, like fever, chills, or allergic reactions.  
• Follow-up blood tests might be performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the transfusion.

The patient might be advised to rest for a period of time.