Main navigation is closed
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital helps extend shelf life of vital blood platelets
Refrigerating platelets doubles storage time, expands life-saving care
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and Sentara Laboratory Services are celebrating a major advancement in trauma and critical care with the introduction of cold-storage platelets, a new blood product now available through a partnership with the American Red Cross. The rollout comes during National Blood Donor Month.
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, the only adult Level 1 trauma center in Hampton Roads, is the first hospital in the Sentara system to implement cold-storage platelets. This innovation allows platelets to be stored at low temperatures for up to 14 days, more than twice as long as traditionally stored platelets, helping ensure availability for the hospital’s most critically ill and injured patients.
“This is a game-changer for trauma and surgical patients,” said Ian Noga, vice president of laboratory services for Sentara. “Cold-storage platelets work faster to stop bleeding, allow us to hold inventory longer, reduce waste, and allow us to be better prepared for emergencies when minutes matter.”
Traditional platelets must be stored at room temperature and used within five days, creating ongoing supply challenges and increasing the risk of shortages. Refrigerated platelets not only last longer, but they also have a lower risk of bacterial growth, enhancing patient safety. Room temperature platelets are still ideal for many clinical scenarios, while cold-storage platelets are mainly used for trauma or patients undergoing major surgery.
The Food and Drug Administration expanded its guidance in 2023, allowing cold- storage platelets to be kept for up to 14 days. Since then, more health care systems have begun implementing this technology, and Sentara Norfolk General Hospital is leading the way in Hampton Roads. Sentara leaders are considering plans to expand cold-storage platelets to other hospitals in the future.
The initiative reflects Sentara’s continued commitment to innovative laboratory services designed to improve patient outcomes, particularly for trauma victims, cancer patients, and others facing life-threatening illnesses and injuries.
“Our goal is simple: save lives by getting the right blood products to patients faster,” said Raymond Tahhan, M.D., medical director of transfusion services, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. “This innovation helps us do exactly that.”
The American Red Cross plays a critical role in making these products available. One blood donation can save up to three lives, and platelet donations are especially vital. Platelets are tiny cell fragments that help form clots and stop bleeding, making them essential for patients undergoing cancer treatment, organ transplants, and emergency surgeries.
Unlike whole blood donations, platelet donations are collected through a process called apheresis, during which an automated machine collects platelets and some plasma while returning red blood cells and most plasma to the donor. A single platelet donation can provide several transfusable units, whereas it takes about five whole blood donations to produce one unit of platelets.
For the American Red Cross, platelet donations are collected only at American Red Cross donation centers, not at mobile blood drives, and typically take about 2.5 to 3 hours. Ideal blood types include A positive, A negative, B positive, O positive, AB positive, and AB negative. Eligible donors can give platelets every seven days, up to 24 times per year.
For millions of Americans, platelets are essential to surviving cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries. Every 15 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs platelets.
While platelets have historically required quick use, the new cold-storage program helps extend their shelf life, making each donation go even further.
Those interested in donating blood products such as platelets can learn more or schedule an appointment at RedCross.org
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, the only adult Level 1 trauma center in Hampton Roads, is the first hospital in the Sentara system to implement cold-storage platelets. This innovation allows platelets to be stored at low temperatures for up to 14 days, more than twice as long as traditionally stored platelets, helping ensure availability for the hospital’s most critically ill and injured patients.
“This is a game-changer for trauma and surgical patients,” said Ian Noga, vice president of laboratory services for Sentara. “Cold-storage platelets work faster to stop bleeding, allow us to hold inventory longer, reduce waste, and allow us to be better prepared for emergencies when minutes matter.”
Traditional platelets must be stored at room temperature and used within five days, creating ongoing supply challenges and increasing the risk of shortages. Refrigerated platelets not only last longer, but they also have a lower risk of bacterial growth, enhancing patient safety. Room temperature platelets are still ideal for many clinical scenarios, while cold-storage platelets are mainly used for trauma or patients undergoing major surgery.
The Food and Drug Administration expanded its guidance in 2023, allowing cold- storage platelets to be kept for up to 14 days. Since then, more health care systems have begun implementing this technology, and Sentara Norfolk General Hospital is leading the way in Hampton Roads. Sentara leaders are considering plans to expand cold-storage platelets to other hospitals in the future.
The initiative reflects Sentara’s continued commitment to innovative laboratory services designed to improve patient outcomes, particularly for trauma victims, cancer patients, and others facing life-threatening illnesses and injuries.
“Our goal is simple: save lives by getting the right blood products to patients faster,” said Raymond Tahhan, M.D., medical director of transfusion services, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. “This innovation helps us do exactly that.”
The American Red Cross plays a critical role in making these products available. One blood donation can save up to three lives, and platelet donations are especially vital. Platelets are tiny cell fragments that help form clots and stop bleeding, making them essential for patients undergoing cancer treatment, organ transplants, and emergency surgeries.
Unlike whole blood donations, platelet donations are collected through a process called apheresis, during which an automated machine collects platelets and some plasma while returning red blood cells and most plasma to the donor. A single platelet donation can provide several transfusable units, whereas it takes about five whole blood donations to produce one unit of platelets.
For the American Red Cross, platelet donations are collected only at American Red Cross donation centers, not at mobile blood drives, and typically take about 2.5 to 3 hours. Ideal blood types include A positive, A negative, B positive, O positive, AB positive, and AB negative. Eligible donors can give platelets every seven days, up to 24 times per year.
For millions of Americans, platelets are essential to surviving cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries. Every 15 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs platelets.
While platelets have historically required quick use, the new cold-storage program helps extend their shelf life, making each donation go even further.
Those interested in donating blood products such as platelets can learn more or schedule an appointment at RedCross.org
By: Jen Lewis