Hi all,

I have been asked to do a lunchtime presentation to my fellow colleagues in the haem/blood transfusion dept of a large district general hospital. I was wondering if anyone had any interesting topic suggestions. I like to present topics where I can discuss real life scenarios which have happened in other transfusion depts both in UK and across the pond ! and this site has been very helpful in the past in providing such info.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

HDN is being covered by a case study by someone else.

Many thanks

Tricia

The different blood group systems, the Weak and Partial D types, AIHA, TRALI, antibody/antigen reactions, serological techniques, prions, etc.  If I can help, give me a private message.

Thanks Malcolm, TRALI, I think is where I might go as I know we have had a couple of suspected cases and the staff would benefit from expanding their knowledge on the subject, thus if anyone has experienced any interesting cases in their own labs I would be very grateful if they would like to share this info.

Many thanks

Tricia

Edited July 28, 201510 yr by NAN47

There is an ongoing debate over whether or not to use fresher RBCs (less "storage lesion") for certian patients, such as neonates and cardiac cases. 

 

Scott

transfusing in trauma situations; or the use of K centra to help stop bleeding? Or - use of molecular testing?

just my 2 cents,

Liz

We had a TRALI workup ordered on a questionable case last year.  Our pathologist approved it.  The patient had multiple problems (not related to blood products) including respiratory failure.  He happened to get blood during one of the episodes.  He passed in a few days.

 

We called our reference Lab to cancel the TRALI order, because all agreed it was not a factor at that point, but they said they were required to finish the investigation anyway.  It took a few weeks as I remember and was negative.

 

For such a serious situation in a real TRALI case, the true occurance is rather rare if I am not mistaken.  And at the time of the episode, it would seem that the patient must be treated empirically regardless of whether a workup is ordered or not, as verification can take some time.

 

Scott

We had a TRALI workup ordered on a questionable case last year.  Our pathologist approved it.  The patient had multiple problems (not related to blood products) including respiratory failure.  He happened to get blood during one of the episodes.  He passed in a few days.

 

We called our reference Lab to cancel the TRALI order, because all agreed it was not a factor at that point, but they said they were required to finish the investigation anyway.  It took a few weeks as I remember and was negative.

 

For such a serious situation in a real TRALI case, the true occurance is rather rare if I am not mistaken.  And at the time of the episode, it would seem that the patient must be treated empirically regardless of whether a workup is ordered or not, as verification can take some time.

 

Scott

 

Yes, you are correct in all aspects Scott, but the only thing I would say is that it is often missed altogether, or misdiagnosed as ARDS, and so, albeit it is certainly rare, it may not be quite as rare as we think, or thought, should I say.

Or maybe a presentation on the type of mistakes that can be made in the lab, concentrating on mistakes that HAVE been made in your lab (something nice and practical that the lab can relate to easily!)

I did one on the importance of recognising delta check failures in other departments and the implications in transfusion - and why they should let us know. Overtransfusion and the risk of TOCO in dilutional samples and the risk of ABO incompatibility if WBIT.