Blood Bank Guy Essentials Podcast

"I never KNEW about that paper!" Most of us have felt that way when we miss some new Transfusion Medicine fact, especially early in our careers. In this interview, two of the editors of a synopsis of 2016-17 BB/TM literature summarize recent developments you should know. NOTE: CE credit has expired for this episode.

In the 2+ years I've been doing this podcast, more people have asked, "when are you doing ABO discrepancies?" than any other topic. Well, here you go! Let's learn the essentials with Dr. Nicole Draper, who loves ABO discrepancies! See www. BBGuy.org/054 for the visual part. 

Alloimmunization has been a mystery for decades, but Chris Tormey has new answers for why patients make antibodies that we wish they didn't! NOTE: CE credit has expired for this episode.

Most everyone is aware that PBM programs involve things like improving physician blood ordering practices by "tightening up" approved thresholds for transfusing red cells and platelets, especially. Many have heard cute little phrases like, "Hey, why give 2 when 1 will do?" to describe current thoughts on transfusing one unit of red cells as a default instead of two units as a default. What I'll be...

In episode 050CE, Sue Johnson outlined sample requirements and antibody detection testing. Now, the knowledge bomb continues as she helps us understand how to choose compatible blood products and TEST (crossmatch) them to make sure they are compatible. Sue finishes the job by solving six cases illustrating common challenges in compatibility testing.

Continuing education episode! To those less familiar with testing and processes in blood banks, the process of Pretransfusion Testing can feel confusing and intimidating. There are tons of rules, and we feel compelled to hold everyone and everything involved to a VERY high standard! Sue Johnson returns to the podcast in part 1 of a discussion of the first two steps in pretransfusion testing, and s...

Continuing education episode! When a patient has TOO MUCH of a good thing, transfusion medicine professionals must sometimes step in and assist in removing red cells, plasma, and/or platelets. Dr. Jeff Winters will help you understand why YOU need to know about these procedures, even if you are not directly involved in therapeutic cytapheresis in your facility. This episode is eligible for FREE CM...

Major surgeries with no blood, for both Jehovah's Witnesses and others? Post-operative patients who don't need transfusion because of massive blood draws? These things are not only possible, they are happening right now, and Dr. Steve Frank, Medical Director of the Johns Hopkins Bloodless Medicine Program, is here to discuss the essentials of patient blood management carried to the extreme!

Cytomegalovirus can cause all kinds of problems in susceptible transfusion recipients, but even an AABB Expert Panel couldn't say exactly how to make blood "CMV-safe!" John Roback was senior author the committee report, and he's here to clear the air...maybe! NOTE: CE credit has expired for this episode.

Every two years, like it or not, our friends at the AABB issue a brand-new version of their  Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services (though we usually just call it " Standards " for short). The 31st edition goes live on April 1, 2018, and it contains a number of important changes. Pat Ooley, Chair of the Blood Bank Transfusion Service Standards Committee, joins me to share his "Top 5 C...

In his nearly 45 years at the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Harvey Klein has been at the center of a mountain of uproars, crises, and changes in transfusion medicine. He's got tons of fascinating stories and opinions, and he's here to share the "Past, Present, & Future of Transfusion Medicine." Don't miss it!

I've known Dr. Pat Kopko, Director of Transfusion Medicine at UC San Diego, for over 30 years! For this episode, we decided to have a conversation about the "essential" things we wish we would have known back when we started on our respective paths to being blood bankers. Pat and I get really, really practical, and give you tons of useful information, including tips, memory tools, and facts presen...

Everyone everywhere in transfusion medicine is talking about patient blood management! What is not often discussed, however, is just how to monitor practices, and what we should do to get started or get better. Mark Fung joins me to discuss 6 practical tips to influence transfusion practice in your hospital. His real-world strategies will help anyone involved in improving transfusion practice! NOT...

An 80 year old male with acute leukemia is getting a platelet transfusion, he begins to feel short of breath. The nurse overseeing the transfusion asks the hematology fellow, "What do you want me to do next, doctor?" The fellow feels his pulse quicken, and he prepares to give his best answer... Situations like this are real and occur every single day in hospitals around the world. Many studies hav...

During the 1980's and 90's, U.S. blood collectors asked more and more (and then MORE) questions of our volunteer blood donors, to the point of absurdity. Dr. Mary Townsend was an original (and current) member of the task force that changed all of that, and she is here to help you understand why we ask what we ask! Note: This is NOT a Continuing Education episode. See BBGuy.org or TransfusionNews.c...

In the remote history of transfusion medicine, life was simple. We had exactly one product: Whole blood. Things changed, and for the last 50 years or so, we began to separate whole blood into red cells, plasma, and platelets. As we learn more and more about what works and what doesn't in trauma resuscitation, some are looking a return to whole blood. Dr. Mark Yazer is helping to lead that discussi...

Febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions get no respect! Clinicians think they are a nuisance, and so do most blood bankers! However, a recent paper from Dr. Christine Cserti-Gazdewich and group suggests that they may be a bigger deal than you think. NOTE: CE credit has expired for this episode.

Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN) seems simple, but there are lots of pitfalls! Dr. Greg Denomme is your guide to HDFN clarity!

What if everything we know (or think we know) about learning is just wrong? Traditional, "sage on the stage" lectures don't foster long-term retention, nor does slogging through an article or book chapter. Dr. Justin Kreuter has studied the research, and he's here to guide us to what does work, and steps to take toward mastery of blood banking and transfusion medicine!

New paradigms in trauma transfusion require prompt delivery of plasma in increased amounts. This has led blood banks to start using group A plasma instead of AB in these emergency settings. But, is the practice safe? Drs. Stevens and Dunbar share new evidence!    

Yes, platelets are tiny, but they can cause lots of problems and controversy! Dr. Rick Kaufman (lead author of the AABB Clinical Practice Guideline on platelet transfusion), joins the podcast to discuss what the evidence shows and what we can and can't say about platelet transfusion. The lack of evidence might really surprise you!

Dr. Josephson returns to the podcast, and she is back in style! Blood bankers may struggle with the details of red blood cell transfusion to neonates, as there are important differences between this group and the adults and older children we are more accustomed to transfusing. Cassandra is your guide, and she answers "Five Essential Questions about Neonatal RBC Transfusion." When should we give RB...

Interactions between Blood Bank and Emergency Department staff in stressful times (like massive transfusions) can be difficult. Good news: A world-renowned ER physician says it doesn't have to be that way! Dr. Scott Weingart of the EMCrit podcast joins me to discuss how we can understand each other better.

"Have a steak! Eat your spinach!" Age-old advice from blood collectors to donors, but is it good enough? Jed Gorlin shows us why the old iron ways may not best!

Ever feel like you are missing something? If you aren't using Twitter to keep up with blood banking advancements, you should be! The 140 character platform is so useful for connecting with others, learning from conferences you can't attend, and developing your own vision and presence. This roundtable discussion takes you through the essentials of blood banking on Twitter. Jerad Gardner, Kate Pendr...