Guidance for Documentation of Therapeutic Apheresis Interventions in the Medical Record: An American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) Practice Perspective.

In 2007, the American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) published guidance for physician documentation related to oversight of therapeutic apheresis (TA). Due to 21st century changes in healthcare delivery, the ASFA Board of Directors (BOD) charged its Public Affairs and Advocacy Committee (PAAC) to coordinate a review and update of the guidance. PAAC members reviewed minutes from various ASFA committees' earlier deliberations and sought additional information from the medical and general literature and regulatory/professional organizations involved with medical records documentation as well as from ASFA membership. A draft document was developed, reviewed, and approved by pertinent parties with changes incorporated into the guidance revision. Major change agents impacting TA documentation were identified including the importance of multidisciplinary care teams, the adoption of telemedicine in TA delivery, and the challenges highlighted by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Formats involving TA documentation scenarios related to initial TA consultations and subsequent care activities by TA staff were developed. The introduction of new technologies, the advancing and mandating of electronic medical records (EMRs) adoption and a renewed emphasis on the team-based nature of healthcare delivery have all impacted TA services. Revised documentation formatting practices related to these changes, not only for physicians' involvement but recognition and inclusion of other members of multidisciplinary teams participating in TA, should be incorporated into TA operations. Such revisions can potentially enhance patient care and provide a foundation for TA-related biovigilance activities.