Release of Plasma Component Circulars of Information

Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is extending the storage of thawed Frozen Plasma (FP) and Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) components from 24 hours to 120 hours (5 days)

to align with the current CAN/CSA-Z902-10 standard, other industry standards, scientific publications and practices already implemented by transfusion services in some customer facilities. Fresh Frozen Plasma Apheresis (FFPA), Cryosupernatant and
Cryoprecipitate are not impacted by this change.

To reflect this change, CBS is releasing the new June 2011 versions of the plasma component Circulars of Information to address the change in storage of thawed plasma from 24 hours to 120 hours (5 days).

The new Circulars are:
• Plasma Components (FFPA, FP CPD, Cryosupernatant CPD, Cryoprecipitate CPD)

• Plasma Components (FFP CP2D, FP CP2D, Cryosupernatant CP2D, Cryoprecipitate CP2D)

Revised sections include Storage and handling, Warnings and precautions and References. Please refer to the customer letter for revision details.