How do I implement an outpatient program for the administration of convalescent plasma for COVID-19?

Evan M. Bloch, Aaron A.R. Tobian, Shmuel Shoham, Daniel F. Hanley, Thomas J. Gniadek, Edward R. Cachay, Barry R. Meisenberg, Kimberly Kafka, Christi Marshall, Sonya L. Heath, Aarthi Shenoy, James H. Paxton, Adam Levine, Donald Forthal, Yuriko Fukuta, Moises A. Huaman, Alyssa Ziman, Jill Adamski, Jonathan Gerber, Daniel CruserSeble G. Kassaye, Giselle S. Mosnaim, Bela Patel, Ryan A. Metcalf, Shweta Anjan, Ronald B. Reisler, Anusha Yarava, Karen Lane, Nichol McBee, Amy Gawad, Jay S. Raval, Martin Zand, Matthew Abinante, Patrick B. Broderick, Arturo Casadevall, David Sullivan, Kelly A. Gebo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Convalescent plasma, collected from donors who have recovered from a pathogen of interest, has been used to treat infectious diseases, particularly in times of outbreak, when alternative therapies were unavailable. The COVID-19 pandemic revived interest in the use of convalescent plasma. Large observational studies and clinical trials that were executed during the pandemic provided insight into how to use convalescent plasma, whereby high levels of antibodies against the pathogen of interest and administration early within the time course of the disease are critical for optimal therapeutic effect. Several studies have shown outpatient administration of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) to be both safe and effective, preventing clinical progression in patients when administered within the first week of COVID-19. The United States Food and Drug Administration expanded its emergency use authorization (EUA) to allow for the administration of CCP in an outpatient setting in December 2021, at least for immunocompromised patients or those on immunosuppressive therapy. Outpatient transfusion of CCP and infusion of monoclonal antibody therapies for a highly transmissible infectious disease introduces nuanced challenges related to infection prevention. Drawing on our experiences with the clinical and research use of CCP, we describe the logistical considerations and workflow spanning procurement of qualified products, infrastructure, staffing, transfusion, and associated management of adverse events. The purpose of this description is to facilitate the efforts of others intent on establishing outpatient transfusion programs for CCP and other antibody-based therapies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)933-941
Number of pages9
JournalTransfusion
Volume62
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2022

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 serotherapy
  • ambulatory care
  • antibodies
  • blood transfusion
  • monoclonal
  • plasma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology
  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'How do I implement an outpatient program for the administration of convalescent plasma for COVID-19?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this