Blood Bank Guy Essentials Podcast

Special episode! In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, does convalescent plasma from recovered patients offer fresh hope for those who are critically ill? The medical leaders of the two largest blood collectors in the US are here to help us work through the challenges and triumphs for COVID-19 convalescent plasma.

Let's be honest: Some hospital transfusion committee meetings feel like a waste of time! However, Dr. Carolyn Burns thinks transfusion committees are not hopeless! In this interview, she outlines her practical steps for building the perfect transfusion committee. She discusses how to recruit members, how to find "champions," what to discuss and analyze, and shares what she has observed in the most effective transfusion committees. Whether your facility is doing a great job already or you are reading this and thinking, "I'm supposed to be reviewing transfusion stuff?", Carolyn will help you go beyond just "checking the boxes." NOTE: CE credit has expired for this episode.

In this emergency episode, recorded on March 16, 2020, I discuss actions blood collectors and hospitals should be thinking of now to preserve the US blood supply, as well as a look at the global COVID-19 pandemic. We also briefly discuss convalescent plasma and its potential role.

The 32nd edition of AABB Standards became effective in April 2020. Rich Gammon, Chair of the BBTS Standards Committee, is here with the Top 10 changes you need to know! From blood donors to recipients, these changes will keep you in touch with best practices in Transfusion Medicine, even if your facility is not AABB-accredited. NOTE: CE credit has expired for this episode.

Dr. Mindy Goldman, the Medical Director of Donor and Clinical Services at Canadian Blood Services, shares her insights on blood donor safety and eligibility policies. She discusses the reconsideration of upper age limits for donors, backed by compelling research. Goldman also delves into the evolution of MSM deferral policies, explaining Canada’s shift from a lifetime ban to a three-month deferral. Listeners will find her take on activity-based screening and real-world experiences from countries like Italy and Spain fascinating as she navigates the delicate balance of safety and inclusivity in blood donation.

With the FDA's 2019 publication of their Final Guidance on how to prevent patients from receiving platelet products contaminated with bacteria, it finally feels like pathogen reduction technology is about to "get real" in the United States! There was a time, though, that modern versions of pathogen reduction existed only in the minds of some really, really smart people. One of those brilliant minds is my guest, and his name is Dr. Ray Goodrich. Ray shares the backstory of how modern pathogen reduction techniques came to be.

Far too many platelet transfusion decisions are made by evaluating a single laboratory value (the platelet count). Dr. Joe Sweeney believes we need more information to make better choices. Platelet transfusion decisions can be complex, and there is wide practice variability both within institutions and among different subspecialty services. In this interview, Dr. Sweeney describes current platelet transfusion guidelines and a more thorough approach to caring for thrombocytopenic patients. NOTE: CE credit has expired for this episode.

Dr. Pat Kopko, a transfusion medicine physician at UC San Diego and an early adopter of pathogen-reduced platelets, shares insightful lessons from her hospital's 2017 implementation. She discusses the impetus behind adopting this technology, including previous septic transfusion experiences, and the importance of safety culture. Pat explains challenges faced with blood suppliers, operational readiness, and the phased strategy for prioritizing patients. Ethical considerations in patient care and practical choices around supply and matching are highlighted, paving the way for future advancements in transfusion safety.

Over the past several years, the United States Food and Drug Administration has considered many proposals for how to decrease the risk that a vulnerable patient would receive a platelet transfusion containing bacteria. On September 30, 2019, FDA released their "Final Guidance" with multiple recommendations that can appear confusing at first glance. This interview with Dr. Pat Kopko from UC-San Diego is designed to be a "first impression" tour through the options in the guidance. NOTE: Every facility should form their own impressions and determine their individual best course. I highly recommend focused conversations between blood suppliers and transfusion services to decide what is best in YOUR setting!

Melissa Cushing, an advocate for fibrinogen's significance in bleeding patient care, shares eye-opening insights on this often-overlooked coagulation factor. She highlights the need for early fibrinogen replacement during massive bleeding, particularly in trauma settings. The conversation explores the differences in fibrinogen use between the U.S. and Europe and discusses the pros and cons of cryoprecipitate versus fibrinogen concentrate. Cushing emphasizes emerging guidelines and innovations that could revolutionize transfusion practices and improve patient outcomes.