Partial D and Weak D: Picking Up the Rhesus Pieces
Susan Johnson, MSTM, MT(ASCP), SBB
Director, Department of Clinical Education
Director, Specialist in Blood Banking Program
BloodCenter of Wisconsin
This presentation will list the reasons for RhD typing discrepancies and discuss the biochemical and molecular characteristics of RhD & RHD so that technologists might better understand the differences among partial, weak, Del variants and D epitopes on RhCe protein. Molecular resolution of Rh discrepancies will also be discussed.
Sue Johnson received her undergraduate degree in Medical Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before attending the Specialist in Blood Bank Technology program at the American Red Cross Blood Service-Badger Region in
1982. She went on to earn a Master’s degree in Transfusion Medicine at Marquette University. The author of many publications, she is also a member of the Invitational Conference of Investigative Immunohematologists (ICII).
Oops…Most Common Nonconformances-Proactive Approach to Assessment Readiness
Andrea Barnes-Simmons, MT (ASCP)
AABB
Bethesda, Maryland
External assessments are an educational process to help further quality and safety initiatives, advance patient care and monitor compliance and operations. “Oops…” will detail the most common nonconformances from AABB assessments and the systematic steps that a facility can take to be ‘inspection/assessment’ ready, assist with system improvement and reinforce established quality goals.
Andrea Barnes-Simmons has 13 years experience in Medical Technology as a Transfusion Service Manager, Quality Assurance Specialist and Supervisor of Chemistry and Special Chemistry Departments with the State of Maryland.
In September 2011, Andrea joined the AABB as a Technical Specialist in the Accreditation Department.
ABO Typing Discrepancy and a New Blood Banker
Liz Abitz
Truman Medical Center
Kansas City, Missouri
Follow the thought processes of a new Blood Banker as she resolves an ABO typing discrepancy.
Liz Abitz is a 2008 graduate of Wichita State University’s Medical Technology Program.
A Hospital Laboratory Response to Disaster
Connie Wilkins MT (ASCP) MSHA
St. John’s Regional Medical Center-Mercy
Joplin, Missouri
On May 22, 2011 a devastating F5 tornado ripped through the Joplin community destroying part of the hospital.
This presentation looks at the laboratory’s response including the establishment of an immediate treatment area on the night of the storm and the subsequent development of a high complexity lab within the Medical Mash Unit that opened one week later.
Connie Wilkins holds both a BS in Medical Technology and a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration. She has been with St. John’s Mercy since 1994 as a Medical Technologist, Outreach Specialist, Program Director for the School of Medical Technology and most recently, Administrative Director Laboratory Services.
Top Gun Serologist vs Darth DNA
Susan Johnson & JoAnn Moulds
What happens when the Top Gun Serologist meets Darth DNA? STAR WARS! Participants will have a chance to hone their serological skills before they jump to hyper drive, entering the next century where DNA is attempting to take over. Using feedback technology, participants will be able to actively participate in the session and demonstrate their skills in serological problem solving by "pushing the button". Then they will be presented with the DNA data to aid in evaluation of the case study.
Platelet Transfusion in Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Patient with a Measureable Response to Platelet Drip
Brian Odum, DO,
University of Missouri
Columbia, Missouri
Dr Odum will present a case study on immune-mediated thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) with an intracranial hemorrhage. The case presentation will include a discussion of the patient's pertinent history and clinical management of the patient as well as the relevant laboratory work up and transfusion management.
Brian Odum earned a BA/Psychology from Rockhurst University before completing medical school at the Kansas City University of Medicine and Bioscience and a Post-Sophomore Fellowship in Pathology at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He is now a resident physician in the Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Use of Blood Products at a US Army Forward Surgical Team in Afghanistan
Christopher A. Vanfosson, RN, MSN, MHA
United States Army
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
This presentation introduces the audience to the structure, mission, and capabilities of an Army forward surgical team and the clinical practice guidelines and protocols for blood component therapy in the theater of operations (Afghanistan). The challenges and limitations of blood component therapy in an austere environment will be discussed. The talk includes several patient cases that illustrate the patient care challenges experienced by clinicians in a combat environment.
Major Chris Vanfosson has been on active duty for just over ten years. As the Chief Nurse of the 541st Forward Surgical Team (Airborne), Major Vanfosson deployed to Afghanistan in February 2010. While in Afghanistan, he and his team served in three different locations, one being the first American medical force in the German-led Regional Command-North. After returning from Afghanistan in February 2011, Major Vanfosson moved to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he is currently a student at the Army’s Command and General Staff College.
Case Study-Hemolytic Anti-A in a Group O Platelet
Laurie Wolf, MLS (ASCP), SBB
University of Kansas Hospital,
Kansas City, Kansas
This case study details a passively acquired anti-A from a type O platelet, resulting in severe hemolysis.
Laurie has been a Blood Banker in Kansas City for 16 years - at Saint Luke's Hospital, Community Blood Center and the University of Kansas Hospital as well as an AABB Assessor and CAP Inspector. She is a former President of the HAABB.
Remote Allocation in a Centralized Transfusion Service
Sandy Linauts, MT(ASCP) SBB
Executive Vice President, Blood and Laboratory Services
Puget Sound Blood Center
Seattle, Washington
Seattle has used a Centralized Transfusion Service model for over 65 years.
To further improve service and reduce transportation time, "Smart refrigerators" have been placed at the hospital. This presentation will discuss the advantages and challenges of a Centralized model and the implementation of Remote Allocation.
Sandy Linauts is the Executive Vice President at Puget Sound Blood Center where her responsibilities include Donor Recruitment and Collections, the Donor Screening laboratories, Component fractionation and distribution, Diagnostic Laboratories, including HLA for transplant testing, the Cord Blood Services department, and the Centralized Transfusion Services.
"A Blood Bank Road Trip"
Jennifer Jung, MT (ASCP)
American Red Cross
St. Louis, Missouri
This presentation is designed to teach techs how to recognize an antibody to a high prevalence antigen. Along the way, the tools we have to determine the identification of the antibody will be discussed. Part of the presentation will include a case study involving an antibody to a high prevalence antigen.
Jen is a graduate of St. Louis University and has been working in a Reference laboratory since graduation most recently as the Lead Technologist.
Please Don’t say "HTLA"
JoAnn Moulds, PhD, MT(ASCP), SBB
LifeShare Blood Centers,
Shreveport, Louisiana
Weak AHG reactive antibodies are often referred to as “high-titer, low-avidity” antibodies or HTLAs. Misinterpretation of weak recativity can lead to misidentification of antibody specificity and deleterious transfusion results. Techniques for the proper identification and provision of blood will be discussed. The assignment of the HTLA group to blood group systems, their biochemical and molecular background will also be presented.
Dr. Joann Moulds graduated with honors from Arizona State University with a BS in medical technology. Her Specialist in Blood Bank (SBB) training was done at Irwin Memorial Blood Bank in San Francisco. Upon completion she worked as a transfusion service supervisor at Mt. Diablo Hospital and later as Education Coordinator at the University of Texas Medical Branch. She then earned her MS at the University of Houston and a PhD from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston (UTHSC). Her postdoctoral work was done at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Presently Dr. Moulds is Director of Scientific Support Services at LifeShare Blood Centers in Shreveport, LA.
Hereditary Afibrinogenemia in a Newborn—A Rare Encounter
Mary JoAnn Ryan, MT (ASCP)
Saint Luke’s Northland Hospital
Kansas City, Missouri
Mary Ryan has been a Generalist at St. Luke’s Northland Hospital Laboratory since 1998. She received her undergraduate degree in Chemistry from St. Mary College in Leavenworth, Kansas (now called the University of St. Mary), and later earned an MBA from the University of Kansas.
This case study details a Blood Bank's preparations for the delivery of a newborn with the potential diagnosis of hereditary hypofibrinogenemia to a mother with a coagulopathy of her own.
Patient Blood Management
Ky Stoltzfus, MD
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, Kansas
Dr Stoltzfus will discuss evaluating anemia, the benefits and risks of blood transfusion and strategies for patient blood management.
Dr Stoltzfus went to medical school at the University of New Mexico and completed residency training at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Dr Stoltzfus isMedical Director for Anemia Management Program at KUMC.