Perioperative Autologous Cell Salvage (PACS)

PACS services are recognized as a key component of blood management programs and are an effective transfusion option for surgical patients who need blood transfusions. The benefits of autologous transfusion include:

• Conservation of allogeneic donor blood inventories
• Reduction of the risk of disease transmission or a transfusion reaction
• Prevention of alloimmunization to red blood cell, platelet and leukocyte antigens.

In addition to the clinical benefits of cell salvage, American Red Cross PACS services offer hospitals many operational benefits:

• A Red Cross technician works independently, reducing the need for additional hospital personnel in the OR
• The Red Cross can provide the equipment, reducing the hospital’s need for capital expenditures
• The Red Cross employs strict training and certification protocols, and has extensive experience performing PACS procedures, which ensures the Red Cross technician is an expert PACS operator
• A hospital may reduce the expense of transfusion support by eliminating blood purchase and compatibility testing

American Red Cross offers PACS Programs in:

The American Red Cross utilizes PACS policies and procedures designed in conformance with the guidelines and standards of AABB, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).