blood cells, and platelets prior to storage) with the notable exception of the United States. Canada, Britain and France adopted universal leukoreduction in the late 1990s. Germany adopted it in 2001. Leukoreduced products are commonly available in the United States and some hospitals use only leukoreduced blood while others only use leukoreduced products in certain patient populations. For example, Strong Memorial Hospital began universal use of leukoreduced blood in July 2000; University of South Alabama Medical Center began use in January 2002. Woodlands Medical Centre is beginning a randomised controlled trial to look into the benefits of transfusing leukoreduced whole blood for the ICCU patients. See also Apheresis Plasmapheresis Venipuncture References External links American Society for Apheresis Transfusion medicine