COVID-19 convalescent plasma can ordered

COVID-19 convalescent plasma, or CCP, can now be ordered in Epic at all Asante facilities. CCP is used to passively transfer COVID-19 antibodies from donors who have been infected with the virus to recipients who are currently infected. The intent is to boost the recipient’s ability to fight the virus. Historically, convalescent plasma has been used when new diseases develop quickly and specific therapies, medications, or vaccines are not currently available.

CCP is collected, tested and processed in the same way as fresh frozen plasma, and both products appear visually identical, except for verbiage on the face label. While the risks and benefits of plasma transfusions in other settings are well known, the effects of CCP in the setting of COVID-19 are still being evaluated. That is why its current use is restricted by the FDA and is considered an investigational treatment. The FDA, American Red Cross, and Mayo Clinic have worked together to provide a program in which blood banks can acquire investigational CCP.

For an Asante provider to obtain CCP for a patient:

• The provider must first register with the Mayo EAP website.
• The provider must register the patient in the Mayo EAP website and will be given a patient specific code. (Link to register patient is in Epic CCP order.)
• The provider can order CCP in Epic and enter the patient code in the order.
• The order and patient code will then be used by the blood bank to order CCP from ARC.
• Currently, orders are being filled by ARC within 48 hours, dependent upon blood type.
• The treating physician, or nursing designee, is responsible for having two consents appropriately signed:
  • Expanded Access to Convalescent Plasma for the Treatment of Patients with COVID-19 Consent
  • Asante Consent/Refusal Blood Treatment Consent 400-N-0604ES
  • Prior to transfusion, nursing is responsible to confirm that the provider order is in place and that both consents are signed. Policy 400-PCS-NURS-0848 is to be followed for product acquisition and administration.

  If you have any questions, please contact us at:
  AACH, Anna Lyon (541) 201-4030
  ARRMC, Amy Baltes (541) 789-4164
  ATRMC, Patricia Alberts (541) 472-7187