Many blood bankers have been involved in or witnessed delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions during their careers. These reactions lead to increased morbidity and mortality, and can be preventable with accurate and up to date antibody records. As many patients receive care at different hospitals and hospital systems, many blood banks have an incomplete antibody profile of their patients. As the concentration of an alloantibody declines and becomes undetectable over a period of time, it is imperative that blood banks are aware of all antibodies being detected at other institutions. Currently, blood bank staff must call multiple blood banks and acquire the patient’s blood transfusion history over the telephone. At the receiving end, staff must be available to answer the phone, verify the patient identity and of the medical technologist, look up the patient’s information, and verbally communicate it over the phone. This telephone communication can be less secure, takes longer, and can be highly prone to errors. The creation of a national transfusion antibody registry will improve the speed, reliability, and patient safety in transfusion medicine. It will increase the accuracy of patients’ antibody records, decrease delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions, and promote safe blood transfusions.

Faculty/Authors
Amit Gokhale, MD, FASCP
Sean Stowell

Physician Competencies:  Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Professionalism, Interpersonal Skills Communication

CME/CMLE Credit: 1.0
Estimated Completion Time: 1 hour
Format: Online Educational Activity

Accreditation Statement: The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).

Credit Designation Statement: The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) designates this journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Instructions

To claim CME/CMLE credit for the exercise, do the following:

1. Review the Technical Considerations.
2. Review the Faculty Disclosures.
3. Click Go to Course to view an overview of the modules in this course.
4. Click Access to begin the course.
5. Submit the course Evaluation.
6. Enter the maximum number of credits offered and click Claim CME to register credit.

Faculty Disclosure

Technical Considerations

Release Date: 09/05/2024
Review Date:
Expiration Date: 03/06/2025