There are numerous trends in today’s transfusion industry. Among the most important are:

• Regulatory Scrutiny: Regulatory agencies that monitor the manufacture of blood components by collectors are extremely cautious. Haemonetics automated blood collection technologies enhance blood collectors' ability to adhere to quality control and quality assurance.
  
  
• Increased Donor Restrictions: Fewer people are eligible to donate blood each year because of new regulatory restrictions.
  
  
• Cost Pressure: There is a continuing cost pressure felt by the industry as it adjusts to the costs of blood safety. Automated collection yields efficiency gains and assists in alleviating supply problems, and also provides an economic benefit to the blood collection community.
  
  
• Blood Safety: There is a continuing demand for safer, higher quality blood products, including the removal of potentially harmful white blood cells. Haemonetics has introduced automated collection systems with leukoreduction filters, building the leukoreduction process into the collection process.
  
  
• Widespread Blood Shortages: Shortages were wide spread and frequent prior to September 11th and are again becoming a problem. Haemonetics automated (apheresis) technology allows blood centers to optimally use their donor base.