Background/Case Studies: Automated processing of whole blood (WB) provides an opportunity to increase component production efficiency through improved usability of the system. The usability of the Reveos® Automated Blood Processing System (Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, Lakewood, CO) was assessed and compared to the standard manual platelet-rich plasma (PRP) method.
Study
Design/Methods: Component laboratory technicians from multiple blood centers were trained on the Reveos system and then processed simulated (water-filled) WB units. The users (N = 16) were asked to complete a system usability survey (SUS) on their current PRP manual processing method and the Reveos system. The SUS scores for each method were calculated and compared; possible SUS scores are 1 to 100, where 1 is poor usability and 100 is excellent usability. Additionally, a subset of users (N = 11) was asked to provide a usability score on a series of tasks including loading whole blood and component bags, loading tubing (line sensor, plasma, platelet, and residual leukocyte tubing), breaking the frangible connectors, and unloading component bags and tubing from the Reveos system. The usability score scale ranges from 1 to 7, with 1 being very difficult and 7 being very easy.
Results/Findings: The Reveos system had a SUS score of 86.7 ± 11.4, which was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the score for the manual PRP method (75.0 ± 18.4). This indicates improved usability for the Reveos system over the current manual method. Additionally, component lab users provided positive usability scores for loading the bags into the device, loading the tubing, breaking frangible connectors, and unloading the device, as shown in Table 1. All usability scores were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than a neutral rating of “4,” indicating positive usability of the Reveos system. Conclusions: The Reveos system offers improved usability for blood processing compared to the current manual PRP processing method. The usability of the Reveos system was positively rated by users and provides a system with improved usability for blood processing compared to the current manual method.
Importance of research: This abstract highlights the usability as defined through quantitative measures including a SUS score and usability scores for the use of the Reveos® Automated Blood Processing System. The Reveos system offers improved usability for blood processing compared to the current manual component processing method. The usability of the Reveos system was positively rated by users and provides a system with improved usability for blood processing compared to the current manual method.
