Independent Clinical Reference
About ApheresisReference.com
A structured, evidence-based reference platform dedicated to therapeutic apheresis — built by a clinician, for clinicians, trainees, and interdisciplinary care teams.
A structured, evidence-based reference platform dedicated to therapeutic apheresis — built by a clinician, for clinicians, trainees, and interdisciplinary care teams.
ApheresisReference.com provides structured, evidence-based summaries of apheresis indications, mechanisms, and procedural considerations relevant to modern practice. Content is designed for healthcare professionals, trainees, and interdisciplinary teams seeking clear, practical reference material grounded in established guidelines.
All content is grounded in ASFA guidelines, peer-reviewed literature, and established transfusion medicine sources — with categories and grades cited explicitly.
Written by a practicing apheresis nurse with over 12 years of direct procedural experience across academic, blood center, and telehealth settings.
Designed to translate formal guideline publications into practical, bedside-ready reference material — structured for how clinicians actually work.
No industry sponsorship. No institutional affiliation. Content development is not influenced by device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, or employers.
ApheresisReference.com was founded by Richard Valdez, a Registered Nurse with over 12 years of progressive clinical experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a background in Computer Science — a combination that allows him to integrate direct procedural expertise with structured information design and digital systems.
Performs therapeutic apheresis procedures for diverse inpatient and outpatient populations across a wide range of disease indications.
Operated advanced apheresis systems and mentored blood center staff in procedural safety and quality control. Managed complex donor and patient populations across a broad spectrum of collection procedures.
Provided telehealth care coordination and patient advocacy across multiple states, supporting individuals with complex medical and behavioral health needs. Developed a systems-oriented approach to patient management at scale.
All clinical content is developed using current editions of the American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) Guidelines as the primary reference framework. Where appropriate, content incorporates peer-reviewed literature and established hematology and transfusion medicine sources. Guideline categories and recommendation grades are referenced explicitly when applicable.
AI Assistance Disclosure: Some content on this site was developed or refined with the assistance of AI language models and subsequently reviewed and edited by the author. All clinical content reflects the author's judgment and is grounded in the cited primary sources.
Connelly-Smith L, et al. Guidelines on the Use of Therapeutic Apheresis in Clinical Practice — The Ninth Special Issue. J Clin Apher. 2023;38(2):77–278. doi:10.1002/jca.22043.
Each article on this platform follows a structured, reproducible framework designed to ensure clinical accuracy and practical utility.
Current ASFA indication category and recommendation grade are identified and verified against the most recent guideline edition.
The underlying disease mechanism is clarified to provide context for why apheresis is — or is not — an appropriate therapeutic intervention.
The specific mechanism by which apheresis addresses the pathophysiology is explained, grounding the indication in scientific reasoning.
Practical protocol details — replacement fluids, anticoagulation, access, frequency, and monitoring parameters — are summarized for clinical use.
All factual claims are supported by cited sources. ASFA guideline data is attributed per the published attribution requirements.
This website is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Clinical decisions should be made in accordance with institutional policies and licensed provider judgment. The views expressed on this site are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of any current or former employer.
If you believe any content is inaccurate, out of date, or unclear — or if you have a question about our editorial process — please reach out directly.