1126 - Learner Driven Call Center to increase Convalescent Plasma Donation in COVID-19

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Co-Author(s)

NJ

Nancy M. Joyner

Pharmacy Student
University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy
Columbia, South Carolina
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.

Presenting Author(s)

Michael Deaney

Pharmacy Student
University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy
Columbia, South Carolina
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.

Co-Author(s)

CD

Caroline Derrick

Pharmacist
Prisma Health Richland - University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
JB

Jeannette Bouchard

Pharmacy Fellow
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
HB

Hannah G. Brown

Pharmacy Student
University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy
Columbia, South Carolina
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Kennedy J. Freeman

Pharmacy Student
University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy
Columbia, South Carolina
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
MD

Malashia Drummond

Pharmacy Student
University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy
Columbia, South Carolina
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
MH

Madeline Harper

Pharmacy Student
University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy
Columbia, South Carolina
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
AW

Alexandria Waddell

Pharmacy Student
University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy
Columbia, South Carolina
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
HA

Helmut Albrecht

Chair, Department of Internal Medicine
Palmetto Health USC Medical Group
Columbia, South Carolina
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
SW

Sharon Weissman

Professor of Medicine
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.

Background: Convalescent plasma (CP) may be obtained from patients who have recovered from the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. Although not FDA approved, preliminary data suggests patients who receive convalescent plasma from recovered donors may have shortened recovery time and symptom reduction. The purpose of the study is to detail learner recruitment of convalescent plasma donation (CPD) for treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Methods: Prisma Health Midlands formed a multidisciplinary CP donation team, consisting of seven COVID-19-certified pharmacy learner volunteers, two pharmacists, and two providers. Primary eligibility criteria were SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity at least 28 days prior to donation and asymptomatic for a minimum of 14 days. Donors were excluded based on FDA guidelines for CPD, limiting ineligible contact. Team learners were trained on call techniques and subsequently contacted, educated, and requested candidates donate through this program. Willing donors were then linked to The Blood Connection to circulate CP back into the Prisma Health System, creating a self-sustaining and closed-loop donation cycle.

Results: In total, 253 recovered adult patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test results were evaluated. 195 patients met baseline inclusion criteria for contact. This pre-screen reduced call and travel time for ineligible candidates. 108 patients were successfully reached. Of the 108, n=79 (73.14%) accepted referral to The Blood Connection, and n=29 (26.85%) were no longer candidates primarily due to patient communicated new exclusionary factors, such as active COVID-19 symptoms. The program allowed for rapid, internal access to CP for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at Prisma Health Midlands.

Conclusion: Interest and awareness in COVID-19 CPD was successfully increased upon direct communication from the team and was felt to represent a personnel intense but successful model for recruiting potential CP donors. This program educated and utilized learners during this pandemic to enhance Prisma Health’s ability to obtain CP for hospitalized patients using a closed system.