Lets Talk Patient Blood Management

What actually happens in the first 60 minutes after a majorinjury occurs? Trauma surgeon Dr. Erin Suydam (Allegheny Health Network) takesus inside the trauma bay to break down the "golden hour" — thecritical window where survival is decided by seconds, not hours. In this episode, Dr. Suydam explains: 🩸What happens the moment a Level 1 trauma page comes in 🩸The ABCDE primary survey trau...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Patient Blood Management, we dig into one of the boldest platelet stewardship moves in recent years: cutting prophylactic platelet doses in halffor cancer patients without increasing bleeding. Lead author Christine Cahill and Dr. Majed Refaai explain why platelets are overused, always in short supply, and far from a benign therapy. They walk us through how arbitraryth...

What if the future of heart and lung transplantation is using little to no donor blood at all? In this powerful episode of Let's Talk Patient Blood Management, Sarah Walbolt and Christine Cahill sit down with pioneering transplant surgeons Dr. Valluvan Jeevanandam and Dr. Pablo Sanchez from the University of Chicago Medicine to explore how their team is redefining what’s possible in modern sur...

Dr. Michael Moront has spent over 30 years masteringbloodless cardiac surgery, saving lives where others see only impossibility. In this episode, he reveals the transformative power of patient blood management and how viscoelastic testing revolutionized his practice, reducing re-operationrates from 6.5% to 2.3% and significantly lowering six-month mortality. Discover how thromboelastography and ta...

Not all blood donations are the same, andnot every donor experience is straightforward. In this episode, we lean on the expertise of Joel Addams,MD, MA, FCAP, Medical Director of Clinical Pathology, to walk through what really happens before, during, and after you donate blood. From the questions you’ll be asked to why you might be turned away, we unpack the critical differences between screening...

In this episode, MaryAnn and Dr. Caroline Alquist delve intothe complexities of HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) and its critical role in patient blood management. They discuss how HLA serves as a genetic fingerprint that influences transfusion outcomes, the importance of avoiding unnecessarytransfusions, and the ethical considerations surrounding blood donation. Theconversation also highlights advan...

In this episode, Syreeta Wright, author, patient advocate, and true warrior, shares what it’s like to live with sickle cell. From the excruciating crises, losing the ability to walk, fighting to avoid donor blood, and the medical trauma incurred as a child. She speaks plainly about feeling violated when her choices were overridden, and how that experience stillaffects her life. Syreeta explains wh...

What if one of the most common hospital treatments is quietly putting patients at risk? In this powerful conversation, internationally recognized transfusion specialist Dr. Ivo Beverina reveals the uncomfortable truth about blood transfusions, how outdated habits continue to drive medical decisions, and the very real risks patients face when blood is overused. From emergency departments overwhelme...

In this conversation, Maria Silvestri shares her personal journey during her pregnancy and discusses the challenges of advocating for herself within the healthcare system. The discussion highlights the importance of patient education, awareness of blood health, and the need for better management of anemia and iron levels during pregnancy. Maria emphasizes the significance of being proactive in hea...

In this episode of Let’s Talk PBM, hosts MaryAnn and Christine sit down with Francesco Viola, PhD and Bruce Spiess, MD of HemoSonics to discuss how innovative technology is transforming blood management in the operating room. You’ll learn how real-time coagulation testing is improving patient safety, reducing transfusions, and saving lives. Let's Talk PBM Websitehttps://letstalkpbm.com/0:00 –...

This conversation explores the vital role of nurses in Patient Blood Management (PBM), leadership, the challenges they face, and the importance of mentorship and education. The discussion highlights the need for standardized practices across healthcare systems and the qualities necessary for effective nursing leadership in PBM. The speakers advocate for nurses to take initiative and lead in this c...

Ever wondered if a blood transfusion actually improves how you feel? In this episode, we dive into the world of quality-of-life research in transfusion medicine. Dr. Micah Prochaska—both a Humanities enthusiast and a leading voice in patient-centered outcomes—shares what current studies reveal, where the gaps remain, and why measuring quality of life is far more complex than it seems. Tune in for...

In this conversation, Katherine DiPalo, Pharm. D. discusses the vital role of pharmacists in healthcare, particularly in managing heart failure and iron deficiency. She explains the differences between pharmacists and medical doctors, the challenges faced by patients with heart failure, and the importance of team-based care in improving patient outcomes. The discussion highlights the need for reco...

In this conversation, MaryAnn, Sarah, and Dr. Ajay Gandhi discuss the critical aspects of Patient Blood Management (PBM), focusing on its barriers, the role of policymakers, and the importance of public awareness. Dr. Gandhi emphasizes the need for patient involvement in driving Patient Blood Management in healthcare. The discussion also touches on misconceptions surrounding blood management and t...

In this conversation, Dr. Ryan Metcalf discusses the newly published 2025 AABB and ICTMG clinical practice guidelines for platelet transfusion. He explains the role of platelets in the body, the need for updated guidelines, and the collaborative effort behind the recommendations. The conversation covers significant changes in the guidelines, the importance of implementation, and the risks associat...

This conversation explores the evolution and current practices in Patient Blood Management (PBM), highlighting the journey of Dr. Pierre Tibi in the field. The discussion covers the importance of education, advancements in surgical techniques, and the role of various tools such as viscoelastic testing and topical hemostatic agents. The speakers emphasize the need for a shift in perspective regardi...

Description:  In this conversation, Lorena Costa Correa, a hematologist from Brazil, shares her insights on blood health, the role of hematologists, and the impact of cancer treatments on blood production. She emphasizes the importance of understanding blood dynamics, the necessity of patient blood management, and her journey through cancer treatment. The discussion also covers the significance of...

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Gustaaf de Ridder discusses the significance of understanding blood types, particularly the ABO and RHD systems, and their implications for transfusion practices.  The discussion highlights the importance of O negative blood as a universal donor type, ethical considerations in blood transfusion, and the need for effective patient blood management to ensure optima...

In this conversation, Erika Tyburski shares her personal journey with anemia, detailing her experiences from childhood through pregnancy and how these experiences motivated her to pursue a career in medicine and biomedical engineering. She discusses the challenges of managing anemia, particularly during significant life changes, and how these challenges inspired her to develop innovative solutions...

In this conversation with Dr. Bernd Froessler from Lyell McEwin Hospital in southern Australia, Sarah & MaryAnn have the opportunity to speak with a true trailblazer in Patient Blood Management! Discover how Dr. Froessler’s journey from Germany to Australia shaped his passion for redefining blood management practices. This episode highlights the evolution of PBM protocols in obstetrics to grou...

In this episode, MaryAnn and Sarah discuss the implementation of Patient Blood Management (PBM) with Majed Refaai and Christine Cahill from the University of Rochester. They explore the journey of establishing a PBM program, the importance of education and coordination in transfusion medicine, and the role of key champions in driving success. The conversation highlights the challenges and triumphs...

In this episode, Sarah & Mary Ann celebrate the third season of their podcast during Patient Blood Management Awareness Week. They welcome Kaycie Atchison, a transfusion safety officer, who shares her journey from being a blood bank laboratory scientist to her current role. The conversation delves into the importance of laboratory professionals in patient care, the critical nature of quality a...

Dr. Rounak Dubey, doctor and researcher,  discusses the use of AI in healthcare, specifically in patient blood management and transfusion. He shares his journey of becoming involved in patient blood management and highlights the role of AI in improving clinical decision-making. Dr. Dubey emphasizes that AI is a tool that can provide clinicians with additional options and support, rather than repla...

Send us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Stephen Frank from Johns Hopkins discusses the importance of correcting iron deficiency in patients prior to surgery. He presents the findings of a study that compares outcomes in patients who received either red blood cell transfusion or intravenous iron infusions before surgery. The data across two decades demonstrates the superiority of managing and optim...

Send us a textDr. Diana Castro Paupério recounts her transformative journey in Patient Blood Management (PBM). Diana shares her personal experience that ignited her passion for elevating PBM to become a standard of care in Portugal. Through heartfelt storytelling, Diana expresses deep gratitude for the international experts who have mentored and guided her along this path. She illustrates how visc...