Impact of implementing pathogen reduction technologies for platelets on reducing outdates.

Background And Objectives: Applying pathogen reduction technologies (PRT) to platelets can extend their shelf life from 5 to 7 days, but there have been few systematic studies of the repercussions of such technologies on outdate rates.

Material And Methods: The benefits in terms of outdate rates of applying PRT to platelets are studied via a mathematical simulation. Specifically, statistical methods are used to determine the daily production rate needed to meet demand while not exceeding a maximum amount set as a result of limitations on donations and while assuring a minimum daily stock.