Plasma

Plasma is a clear, yellowish liquid part of the blood system. Plasma accounts for approximately 55% of your total blood volume and includes water, antibodies, clotting factors and other components. Its key objectives are to transport water and nutrients to your body’s tissues. The proteins in plasma also help to fight disease.The Canadian Blood Services collects and prepares various forms of plasma for transfusion in Canada.

Plasma is derived either from random donor plasma or apheresis donors. Plasma can be used for blood transfusion as frozen plasma which is frozen within 24 hours of collection or as Apheresis Fresh Frozen Plasma that is frozen within 8 hours of collection. A portion of plasma collections are directed to plasma fractionation plants to be processed and separated into specific products such as IVIG.

Link to statement from Canadian Blood Services regarding payment for plasma donation:

https://www.blood.ca/en/media/statement-canadian-blood-services-payment-plasma-donation

Resources

Document Name Date of Original Publication Date Revised

CBS Customer Letter #2023-26 - Additional Information for Thawing Octoplasma October 3, 2023 October 3, 2023 Download
Information on Solvent/Detergent Plasma (Octaplasma®) - Clinical Job Aid July 27, 2023 July 27, 2023 Download
Memo - Transfusion Medicine Lab Inventory Transition from Frozen Plasma to Solvent Detergent Plasma August 3, 2023 August 3, 2023 Download
    Blood ProductsPlasma