Blood Bank Guy Essentials Podcast

Join Dr. Ron Strauss, a seasoned pediatrician and expert in hematology oncology, as he dives into the sometimes overlooked world of granulocyte transfusions. He discusses the evolving landscape of this practice, citing modern trials that suggest high-dose granulocyte concentrates could yield better outcomes. Dr. Strauss sheds light on the challenges surrounding donor safety and compatibility, while addressing fears about GCSF usage. With a historical perspective and promising future insights, he emphasizes the critical role granulocyte transfusions play in treating infections in leukemia patients.

Connie Westhoff, researcher studying anti-CD47, discusses the interference this drug causes in blood bank testing. They explore the challenges in removing CD-47, the interference in ABO and antibody screening, and the use of polyethylene glycol absorption to remove interference. The importance of pretreatment ABO and RH typing, genotyping, and antigen match units are highlighted. The effects of anti-CD38 and potential interfering antibodies are also discussed.

For patients who might need blood transfusion, the ideas of donating their own blood ("autologous donation") and/or choosing their blood donor ("directed donation") seem VERY appealing! However, Dr. Julie Karp explains the good reasons why both special donation types are getting less and less common, and tells us what role, if any, each has in today's Transfusion Medicine. NOTE: CE credit has expired for this episode.

You know all about AABB Standards, but how do you make them practical? Anne Chenoweth gives great tips to make your next assessment better! NOTE: CE credit has expired for this episode.

Nancy Dunbar says a few simple adjustments to "the rules" we learned long ago could reduce shortages of O-neg RBCs, AB plasma, and platelets! NOTE: CE credit has expired for this episode.

A 25-year-old, A negative female needs blood. She will receive RhD-negative RBCs, of course, but what about antigen matching for Kell, or for other Rh antigens? Meghan Delaney explains her study, "AMIGO," in which she tried to determine if there is evidence that such matching is important.

Venous thromboembolism after surgery is a huge problem, and we may have underestimated one big contributing factor: Red cell transfusion! Ruchika Goel and colleagues put together the first study to primarily address the role of perioperative red blood cell transfusions in developing postoperative venous thromboemboli, and she is here to tell us what they found. NOTE: CE credit has expired for this episode.

Isolated nonspecific reactions ("antibodies of undetermined specificity") on antibody workups can delay transfusions, but it may be impossible to determine whether or not they matter to the patient. Brenda Grossman explains possible causes and potential solutions when these annoying but common situations arise.

Patients with liver disease often have basic coagulation laboratory values that seem AWFUL, and as a result, they receive almost 1 in every 5 blood products transfused in hospitals! Jeannie Callum thinks that's too much, and shows us how to improve our practice. NOTE: CE credit has expired for this episode.

"I never KNEW about that paper!" Most of us have felt that way when we miss some new Transfusion Medicine fact, especially early in our careers. In this interview, two of the editors of a synopsis of 2016-17 BB/TM literature summarize recent developments you should know. NOTE: CE credit has expired for this episode.