The Community Blood Center (CBC) in Appleton, Wisconsin has adopted the Reveos automated blood processing system from Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, becoming the fifth centre in the United States to use the platform.

CBC, which supports more than 40 hospitals across Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, has installed two devices as part of a wider plan to modernise its operations and strengthen access to platelets.

CBC runs more than 100 blood drives each month and relies heavily on whole blood donations, which are typically separated manually into plasma, platelets and red blood cells. The centre said automation is helping to cut manual processing time and improve reliability during periods when weather, staffing or donor availability can vary.

John Hagins, president and CEO of CBC, said: “With Reveos, we’re maximising the impact of every donation, making sure each one meets a patient need and every patient gets the transfusion they require.”

Reveos is the only whole blood automation device currently available in the US that processes whole blood into its components in a single centrifugation cycle. Traditionally, the separation process involved multiple manual steps and required staff to move between stages of the workflow. CBC said it has cut manual processing time by more than 60 per cent since implementation, allowing teams to focus on tasks such as developing special blood products or responding to urgent hospital orders.

Ashleigh Kees, vice president of operations at CBC, said: “This helps ensure we have products available for patients at all times, particularly for rural hospitals where timely access to blood products can be lifesaving.”

A key benefit for CBC is the ability to increase platelet yield from whole blood donations. Platelets collected through apheresis remain a critical supply route, but Reveos offers an additional source during periods of high demand. CBC said the system can process up to four units of whole blood in less than 30 minutes, supporting stock levels across its hospital network.

Tanner Lenz, product QC technical coordinator, said: “Reveos gives us added capacity — more dependable products, faster, and with greater confidence that they’ll pass quality control.”

Industry groups say modernisation is becoming a priority for centres looking to stabilise platelet supply. Bill Block, CEO of Blood Centers of America, said: “Appleton’s adoption of Reveos reflects increasing interest among blood centres in modernising operations and diversifying platelet sources.”

Terumo BCT supported installation and training and said the collaboration highlights the shift towards data-driven and scalable technologies across community blood centres. Chetan Makam, general manager of global blood solutions at the company, said: “Their commitment to innovation reflects how community blood centres are embracing scalable, data-driven technologies to streamline operations and help meet critical needs.”

CBC emphasised that despite greater automation, the blood supply remains dependent on donors. Kym Kraemer, manager of manufacturing operations and product management at CBC, said: “Blood has no substitution. It has to come from a volunteer, and every single person has the ability to save up to three lives with their donation.”

Kees added that automation supports, rather than replaces, this effort by ensuring each donation is used efficiently and consistently.