Apheresis donors (Platelets, Plasma) are needed IMMEDIATELY for continued patient care. Learn more about the donation process.
Download our Request for Therapeutic Phlebotomy here.
The Therapeutic Services Department of The Blood Center provides effective treatment options and first-line therapies for many blood disorders. These services may be divided into two broad categories, Therapeutic Apheresis and Therapeutic Phlebotomy.
Therapeutic Apheresis is the process to remove abnormal or pathologic substances from a patient's blood using automated blood cell separator equipment, while returning all other blood components. Red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, or platelets may be selectively removed, as requested by the patient's physician. Examples would be the removal of abnormal red blood cells in a Sickle Cell Anemia patient, leukemia cells prior to chemotherapy, plasma in patients with abnormal antibody production or platelets in patients with high counts at risk for stroke. The Blood Center Nursing staff, under the supervision of the Medical Director, brings the latest mobile therapeutic apheresis technology directly to the patient's bedside.
Therapeutic Phlebotomy is the removal of whole blood from a patient, usually to lower the blood count, as in patients with Polycythemia or Red Cell Hyperplasia, or to remove excess iron, as in Hemochromatosis or Porphyria patients. Therapeutic bleeds remove about one pint of whole blood at each treatment, with the number of treatments determined by the patient's physician. Treatments may be performed at any Blood Center location or, if requested, at the treating facility.
Therapeutic Apheresis and Therapeutic Phlebotomy services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.