Category: Uncategorized
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The Role of Histocompatibility Laboratory Services at the American Red Cross in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Clara Barton established the American Red Cross in 1881 with the primary objective of providing emergency assistance and disaster relief to people in the United States. The organization later grew into one of the largest charitable and nonprofit organizations, expanding its reach into blood product supply, cellular therapies, and tissue services. Leaders had the foresight…
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Motivating Donors: Lessons from Collecting COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma
Early in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, many blood centers began collecting and distributing COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP). Researchers from the American Red Cross conducted a survey of CCP donors during the first five months of the CCP collection period (April 27-September 15, 2020) to gather information about their donation experience and motivations. Read about their findings…
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Oh, Baby, Baby!! A Case Study
Case: A 29-year-old female presented to her obstetrician’s office for a routine 16-week checkup. Routine prenatal blood work was ordered, which included a type and screen. The hospital had no prior record of the patient and proceeded with routine testing. The patient typed O, Rh positive with a positive antibody screen using column agglutination testing…
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Case Study: Identification of a McLeod phenotype blood donor
Background/Case Studies: The McLeod phenotype is defined as the absence of the Kx antigen from the red blood cell (RBC) membrane. Kx is the only antigen in the XK blood group system. The Kx antigen is located on the Xk protein, which is linked to the KEL glycoprotein by a single disulfide bond. Absence of the…
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SCD in the Era of COVID
Patients with SCD (Sickle Cell Disease) are more likely to have a severe COVID-19 disease course and a higher case-fatality rate in contrast to the general population. RBC (Red Blood Cell) transfusions are commonly given to patients with SCD and COVID-19. Hyperhemolysis syndrome (HHS) is an infrequent, severe hemolytic transfusion reaction primarily been described in…
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CHECK IT OUT!!!
The visual inspection of blood products is not just good practice, but a requirement according to regulatory agencies and accrediting organizations. Inspecting blood products is critical to ensure that the safest ones are used and is the blood bank’s first step in assessing the suitability of a product for transfusion. There are many conditions that…