Choosing Wisely for apheresis

Abstract

The Choosing Wisely campaign has stimulated clinicians to think about the appropriateness of various tests and procedures, compelling physicians to make smarter, safer and more effective choices for high quality patient care and to reduce healthcare cost. The American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) strives to advance apheresis medicine through education, evidence-based practice, research and advocacy. To complement these shared missions, ASFA created a working group, consisting of representatives from the various ASFA committees, to produce recommendations for apheresis medicine that reflect the Choosing Wisely guiding principles. A diverse group of ASFA physician and allied health members reviewed, rated and ranked 9 original draft proposals. Additional revisions and refinements were made prior to external review and adoption of five final recommendations by the ASFA Board of Directors. The ASFA Choosing Wisely recommendations encourage apheresis practitioners, patients and donors to discuss and prioritize best clinical practices that avoid harm and waste while optimizing clinical benefit.

Keywords: choosing wisely; coagulation tests; red blood cell exchange; therapeutic plasma exchange; venous access.