John Bowers

What is a FTLS (not familiar with that acronym). Fetal Bleed screen? I would think a Fetal Bleed Screen would give you a false negative given that it is not labeled to be used as a screening test for weak D infants. Rather a Kleihauer-Betke should be done instead.

Very interesting... thanks for that info.

I agree. We perform K/B testing in the case of a "true" weak D positive cord blood because on the possibility of getting a falsely negative Fetal bleed screen and to determine dosage. But one might argue no Rhogam is necessary as the baby is probably Rh negative. I think the decision to give RHIG would vary among different OB/GYN's.

How do other facilities manage RHIG administration when the test for Weak D on cord blood is likely falsely positive due to ABO incompatability induced positive DAT. In this case the RH status can not be reliably determined, but most likely is Rh negative as the reaction strength is equal to the DAT (w+).

We use manual methods (Sorvall RC3BP) and draw about 20-25 units a day. The standard says to cool continously towards 1-10 degrees (no plt production). Does this not apply if red cells are refrigerated within 8 hours anyway???? Thanks, John

Ok great thanks John

Our longest drives are typically 6 hours but for these we often ship blood back by courier about halfway through the drive. Then all blood is processed and stored in the refrigerator within 8 hours of the draw time.

Pall Medical does our WBC count testing for our QC. I can provide contact information if interested

Does anyone use or know of an acceptable substitute for wet ice when transporting whole blood in coolers from mobile drives to the component processing lab. The blood is centrifuged at room temp and is not for platelet production?

I would appreciate comments on the following practice: Automatic scheduling of patients to donate autologous units prior to spinal fusion surgery for the purpose of "stimulating" the bone marrow seamingly to enhance the grafting process. Would this be considered an acceptable protocol? Most of these patients are provided no information regarding their options for transfusion and most would not be adverse to allogeneic transfusion. Many would have preferred not to have had to come in (sometimes from quite a distance) to donate.

We have recently experienced several cases of seemingly strong positive reactions on gel that prove to be negative with tube testing. Has anyone else had similiar experiences?

Does anyone use Chlorascrub swabstick. It is made by PDI and is 3.15%Chlorhexedine Gluconate and 70% Isopropyl Alcohol. If so, How did you validate it and how? Thankyou, John

How do you close a poll?

Does anyone use Chlorascrub (PDI) for donor arm prep and if so how did you evaluate it relative to iodine procedures. Also the original FDA document regarding arm prep is no longer available because it is seemingly out of date, yet I find no replacement guidance. Does anyone have a copy of this they could email me? Thanks John

Cliff, I spoke with the FDA about reentry using HIV/HCV NAT and was told it would be finalized by the end of 2007. More recently I have read it is nearly ready to be finalized. The author of the draft clearly stated it was not for implementation as a draft document. We do not reenter donors but I do let them know of the pending opportunity to be reentered if applicable John