Tag: Safety
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Are ABO-Identical Platelet Transfusions Better?
Platelets express numerous surface antigens including A, B, and H; and the plasma in which they are suspended contain the corresponding donor isohemagglutinins (antibodies to A or B antigen). Transfusion of incompatible platelets may result in hemolysis. However, because the risk is low, the practice of providing ABO-nonidentical (ABON) or ABO-identical (ABOI) platelets to patients…
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Cold-Stored Platelets
Cold-stored platelets (CSP) are a recent hot topic. Prior to the 1960s, refrigerated whole blood contained red cells, plasma, white cells and (cold-stored) platelets transfused as one product to bleeding patients. With broad advancement in medical treatments and manufacturing technology, transfusion therapy became component-based whereby a single donation could yield specific blood products for multiple…
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The Monocyte Monolayer Assay (MMA)
Most patients have negative results in pretransfusion testing when their serum or plasma is tested for unexpected antibodies to red cells. For most patients with positive red cell antibody screens, the antibody–for example, anti-K or anti-E–is easily identified and antigen-negative blood can be obtained if needed. But some patients have multiple antibodies or antibodies to…
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SPOTLIGHT On LAB WEEK: Red Cross labs advance patient care
Although far from the spotlight, medical laboratory scientists and other laboratory professionals play a vital role in health care and patient outcome. The work of testing, diagnosing, and treatment is crucial in saving lives—but the Red Cross takes laboratory services a step further. Improving patient care through innovation and decades of research lies at the…
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Don’t ‘Tick Me Off: Babesia blood donation screening
Babesia is a red blood cell parasite and the agent of babesiosis. Ticks naturally transmit it to humans; however, the parasite can also be transmitted through blood transfusion. Healthy individuals can be infected without knowing it or may experience mild, flu-like symptoms; however, the disease can be severe and cause death in 5% of infected individuals…
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REDy, Set, Go – the REDS-IV-P Program
In the United States, and globally, the “REDS” moniker is well-known and widely regarded in the transfusion medicine community. Funded by the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of NIH, the original REDS program (initiated in 1989 and renewed through 2001) stood for Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study and was introduced to address concerns for HIV and…