Sunday, October 5
8:30 am – 10:00 am
020A- Scientific Plenary Session
Objectives:
· Describe the prevalence of human neutrophil antigen specific antibodies in male and female blood donors in the US.
· Determine the influence of allogenic red cell transfusions relating to hemoglobin concentration on the morality of non-cardiac elective surgical patients.
· Evaluate the characteristics of blood donors deferred for having sex with another man in terms of age at presentation, duration of exposure, and interval since last exposure.
· Explain one type of adoptive immunotherapy in which specific CD4 lymphocytes from patients infected with HCV can be expanded and used autologously to restore interferon-gemme production.
· Summarize the results of blood donor screening in the US for trypanosome cruzi antibody.
· Recognize that early screening of apheresis platelets for bacteria is still associated with the issuance of some contaminated platelet units.
(9202-QE) Development and Logistics of a Visual Inspection Reference Guide
Director: Charlene Rose, BS
Moderator: Susan Burns,MT(ASCP)
Faculty: JoAnn Tuman, MLT(ASCP); Pamela Rice, BB (ASCP) MLT
Intended Audience: Technologists, Managers/Supervisors
Objectives:
- Identify existing standards and determine what to do when none exist.
- Obtain suitable photographs and text for a cross-functional audience.
- Accomplish the tasks associated with printing and implementing the finished product.
Event Description: The American Red Cross (ARC) developed a standard Visual Inspection Reference Guide for use by staff who collect, manufacture, and distribute blood and blood components. This session will describe the process followed and the challenges experienced during the development and implementation of the guide. The topics covered will include a brief history of visual inspection at the ARC and the importance of providing standard guidance that complies with current regulations so that staff can readily recognize abnormal appearance. Speakers will discuss the logistics associated with developing, printing, and distributing the guide, and the technical challenges encountered with obtaining authentic photographs of examples of both suitable and unsuitable components. Lessons learned during the completion and implementation of this cross-functional project will be provided.
Event Level: Basic to Intermediate
(9203-QE) Implementing FDA's Guidance for Automated Platelet Collection
Director/Moderator: Kathleen Hopping, BS, CQA(ASQ)
Faculty: Mary J. Townsend, MD; Terri Poulin, MT(ASCP)SBB; Faye Kugele
Intended Audience: Physicians, Technologists, Nurses, Managers/Supervisors
Objectives:
- Describe the FDA's current thinking on collection of platelets by automated methods (plateletpheresis).
- Review significant changes to the current guidance document from the 1988 guideline.
- Listen to the experiences of two individuals of how changes were implemented across their organizations.
- Outline the changes and how to apply them in the collections environment and in the manufacturing/laboratory setting.
Event Description: Speakers representing blood centers will discuss current FDA thinking and their experiences in putting into practice changes resulting from the document Guidance for Industry and FDA Review Staff: Collection of Platelets by Automated Methods. The session will examine change control process and share experiences to include road-blocks encountered and successes in applying the significant changes. Implementation strategies in the donor eligibility and collections setting will be discussed, as well as processes to implement changes related to component management and laboratory testing.
Event Level: Intermediate
(9204-QE-CT) Self Assessment: Preparing Your Facility for Accreditation
Director/Moderator: Teresa D. Anderson, MT(ASCP)SBB,CQA(ASQ)
Faculty: Holly Rapp, MT(ASCP)SBB, CQA(ASQ)CMQ/OE; Judith Sullivan, MS, MT(ASCP)SBB, CQA(ASQ); Kathleen Sazama, MD, JD
Intended Audience: Physicians, Scientists, Technologists, Nurses, Managers/Supervisors, CEOs/CFOs, Perfusionists
Objectives:
- Describe the rationale behind performing internal assessments.
- Identify different approaches for performing internal assessments
- Develop strategies for managing the results of internal assessments.
Event Description: Internal assessments are a requirement of all AABB standards. This session will discuss strategies for performing internal assessments that are both effective and meaningful to the organization.
Event Level: Intermediate
(9205-QE-CT) Environmental Monitoring and Control for Cellular Therapy Facilities – ISCT/AABB Joint Program
Director: Lynn O'Donnell, PhD
Moderator: Federico Rodriguez, MT (ASCP) SBB
Faculty: Mike Halpenny, MT; Darcie Radel, MT (ASCP), Lynn O’Donnell
Intended Audience: Scientists, Technologists, Managers/Supervisors
Objectives:
- Describe how different types of cellular therapy facilities control and monitor the environment for collection and processing of products.
- Discuss different options and techniques available for environmental control and monitoring depending on the type and size of the facility.
- Outline the role of the quality assurance unit or staff in environmental control and monitoring in GMP and non-GMP facilities.
Event Description: Environmental control is a concept with which most people in the field of cellular therapy are familiar. However, it can be a difficult goal to attain. The ability to control the environment requires a working knowledge of facility design, air handling (HVAC) and disinfection methods, or at least a strong relationship with those who have the knowledge. In order to know whether you truly have control of the collection and processing environment, some kind of environmental monitoring (EM) needs to be performed. Many EM techniques are available, and all will yield useful information if used appropriately. This session will help attendees decide on approaches to their environmental control and monitoring programs, or whether improvements to existing systems can be made.
Event Level: Intermediate to Advanced
(9206-RC) Best Practices in Small Donor Centers
Director/Moderator: Shari Miller, BA, MA
Faculty: Mary J. Townsend, MD; Scott Caswell
Intended Audience: Managers/Supervisors, CEOs/CFOs
Objectives:
- Review computer model developed by a staff member at a small donor center and explore their successes with decreased expiration and failure rates.
- Learn about the community blood center's successful AB conversion program, which moved AB donors from whole blood to apheresis donation, and reduced costs as well as red cell outdates.
Event Description: This session will demonstrate how to compare expiration and failure rates based on the computer model presented. In addition, speakers will describe how to outline a detailed AB conversion program to decrease AB whole blood collection while increasing AB platelet and plasma products.
Event Level: Intermediate
(9207-LMT) Change Will Happen, Can You Manage It?
Director/Moderator: Mary A. Lieb, BS, MT(ASCP)SBB, CQA(ASQ)
Faculty: Linda Stefaniak, BS,MT(ASCP)SBB, CQA(ASQ)CQM/OE; Susan M. Wilson, BS, MT(ASCP)SBB; Deborah Greene, MT(ASCP)SBB, CQA(ASQ)
Intended Audience: Physicians, Scientists, Technologists, Nurses, Managers/Supervisors, CEOs/CFOs, Perfusionists
Objectives:
- Identify the components involved in supporting change management.
- Discuss the benefits and barriers to change.
- Describe project management as a tool for managing change.
Event Description: The architecture of a successful and ongoing change management process for blood centers and transfusion services is difficult to design, implement and sustain. People, processes and paper are the critical elements in supporting and managing change. This session will address the fundamental components found in successful change management processes. Practical project management for internal organizational changes and external supplier/vendor changes will be examined. Participants will leave with suggestions, selected tools and templates for use in evaluating and/ or developing a change management process for their organizations.
Event Level: Basic to Intermediate
(9208-CO) How to Build and Manage a Stable 8-Day Inventory of Red Blood Cells
Director: Yvan Charbonneau,
Moderator: Gilles Delage, MD
Faculty: Sylvie Daigneault; Yvan Charbonneau,
Intended Audience: Nurses, Managers/Supervisors, CEOs/CFOs
Objectives:
- Review marketing and social networking initiatives and changes to blood donor recruitment.
- Develop a blood inventory management strategy.
- Discover the importance of better management of the blood supply at the hospital level.
Event Description: The red blood cells (RBC) inventory is a constant operational challenge in most North American blood banks. Since 2000, Héma-Québec has introduced a series of measures to increase its RBC inventory which has been maintained at an average of about 8 days. This session will review the marketing and operational changes that were put in place to achieve this goal. This inventory level has many beneficial consequences in routine operations but also raises some unforeseen concerns.
Event Level: Intermediate
8:30 am – Noon
(9201-TC) Therapeutic Apheresis- Care of Patients with TTP
Moderator: Kim Palmer
Director: Martha Wieland, RN, BSN, HP(ASCP)
Intended Audience: Physicians, Technologists, Nurses, Managers/Supervisors
Objectives:
- List two symptoms associated with Wegners.
- Discuss treatment modalities for Wegners.
- Identify two patient problems a patient with Wegners may experience when undergoing therapeutic apheresis.
Event Description: Patients undergoing therapeutic apheresis procedures have the potential to develop nursing care problems associated with the treatment. Based on their diagnosis, they may also have a set of unique needs. This program will examine Wegner's Granulomatosis, the pertinent pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment modalities including therapeutic plasma exchange. Speakers will also examine the nursing care aspects and identify two patient problems associated with Wegner's and TPE and develop a plan of care for each.
Event Level: Intermediate
10:30 am – Noon
(9209-S) New Strategies for the Optimal Use of Platelet Transfusion
Director/Moderator: Morris A. Blajchman, MD, FRCP(C)
Faculty: Nancy Heddle, MSc, FCSMLS(D),; Sherrill J. Slichter, MD; Micheal F. Murphy, MD, FRCP, FRCPath
Intended Audience: Physicians, Scientists, Technologists, Managers/Supervisors
Objectives:
- Recognize that there is still considerable controversy about the optimal dose for the transfusion of platelets for the prophylactic prevention of bleeding in severe thrombocytopenic hematological patients.
- Learn about the two randomized controlled trials that are currently being conducted to evaluate the optimal prophylactic platelet dose required to reduce the risk of bleeding in severely thrombocytopenic patients.
- Review the available evidence for using a therapeutic approach to platelet transfusions rather than a prophylactic approach in severely thrombocytopenic hematology patients.
Event Description: This educational session will discuss the evidence-based data available to determine the optimal dose of platelets to be given prophylactically to severely thrombocytopenic hematology patients. The design of two ongoing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) will be discussed and the available background data presented. The protocols for the conduct of the two RCTs will also be presented as will preliminary data, if available. In addition, this session will discuss the available data as to whether there might be advantages to treating severely thrombocytopenic patients therapeutically, rather than prophylactically. The design of a proposed RCT examining prophylactic versus therapeutic platelet transfusions in thrombocytopenic hematology patients will also be discussed.
Event Level: Intermediate to Advanced
(9210-S) TTD II: Where Are We Going With Pathogen Reduction?
Director/Moderator: Louis M. Katz, MD
Faculty: Harvey Alter, MD; Harvey Klein; John Chapman
Intended Audience: Physicians, Scientists, Managers/Supervisors, CEOs/CFOs
Objectives:
- Describe the forces in transfusion medicine driving the blood community toward the use of pathogen reduction systems.
- Explore the issues of toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity critical to the development of pathogen reduction techniques.
- Discuss the potential impact of pathogen reduction systems on current approaches to the protection of blood safety.
Event Description: Three thought leaders from the blood community will review the impetus toward adoption of pathogen reduction strategies aimed to protect blood safety, and provide an overview of the barriers to their scientific validation and regulatory approval.
Event Level: Intermediate to Advanced
(9211-S) Transfusion-Related Immunomodulation (TRIM)
Director\Moderator: John W. Semple, PhD
Faculty: Sherrill J. Slichter, MD; John W. Semple, PhD; Leo van de Watering, MD,PhD
Intended Audience: Physicians, Scientists, Technologists, Nurses, Managers/Supervisors
Objectives:
- Understand the basic immunobiology of TRIM.
- Learn about the different animal models of TRIM.
- Discuss the clinical studies of TRIM and their controversies.
Event Description: Donor leukocytes in transfusion products are not only responsible for stimulating recipient immunity but are paradoxically responsible for immunosuppressive-like reactions that were originally termed the "transfusion effect.” The effect occurs when leukocyte-containing allogeneic blood is transfused and is measured by subsequently observing, for example, the survival of a donor-specific allograft. In addition, several other immunosuppressive-like effects, such as increased tumor growth or bacterial infections, have been reported to be associated with blood transfusions. These effects have been observed in both animal experiments and human studies and in 1999, the term "transfusion related immunomodulation" (TRIM) was introduced in an attempt to unify these immunosuppressive effects. This session will reveal the basic immunobiology of TRIM and discuss both animal models and clinical studies that have been designed to measure TRIM. The audience will be enlightened to the complexities and controversies surrounding TRIM.
Event Level: Intermediate to Advanced
(9212-TC) Transfusion Medicine for Physicians
Director/Moderator: Lesley Kresie, MD
Faculty: Ravindra Sarode, MD; Beth Shaz, MD
Intended Audience: Physicians, Scientists, Technologists, Nurses, Managers/Supervisors
Objectives:
- Review trauma-induced coagulopathy.
- Discuss the development of a massive transfusion protocol.
- Review the mechanism of action of anti-platelet drugs and management strategies for the bleeding patient.
Event Description: During this session, physicians affiliated with active trauma centers will draw from their experience to lead a discussion on the management of bleeding patients. Topics will focus on the use of transfusion protocols for massive hemorrhage and the available options for treatment of acquired platelet disorders. The presentations will be interactive to allow for lively discussion of the topics.
Event Level: Intermediate to Advanced
(9213-TC) Blood Groups and Malaria: New Insights into an Old Disease
Director/Moderator: Connie Westhoff, PhD, MT(ASCP)SBB
Faculty: Walter H. Dzik, MD; Christine Cserti-Gazdewich, MD, FRCP(C); Kevin Kain, MD, FRCPC
Intended Audience: Physicians, Scientists, Technologists, Nurses
Objectives:
- Learn current information on the association between P falciparum malaria and ABO and Lewis blood group system as well as how this information could be useful for future treatment and prevention strategies.
- Summarize current laboratory-based research that is unraveling the molecular pathology of malaria especially as it relates to expression of parasite cytoadherence genes.
- Discuss the potential role for ADAMTS13 physiology in the pathogenesis of malaria.
- Illustrate the challenges with initiating clinical studies that focus on malaria in Uganda, including building the partnership and overcoming the logistical challenges related to equipment, testing, sample collection, need, and data management.
Event Description: This workshop will provide a current perspective on malaria and its evolutionary impact on human blood groups. Recent research and concepts are changing our understanding of the biology of malaria and could change future approaches to treating this disease. Lessons learned from the study of malaria in the developing world may have direct bearing on the vascular biology of diseases seen in North America. In addition, the session will highlight some of the challenges associated with conducting research in Uganda, Africa.
Event Level: Intermediate
(9214-TC) Coagulapathy 101
Director/Moderator: Robert Arana, BSMT, CQA (ASQ)
Faculty: Jeffrey Dlott, MD
Intended Audience: Physicians, Technologists, Nurses, Managers/Supervisors
Objectives:
- Discuss how the coagulation cascade has changed and the cell based model of coagulation.
- Update the audience on current in vitro diagnostic platforms.
- Illustrate the multi-disciplinary approach to patients with bleeding problems with case studies.
Event Description: This course will serve as a review of basic coagulation. The fundamental concepts of hemostasis as well as the changes in the coagulation cascade and the modern concept of a cell based model of hemostasis will be discussed. A brief overview of current hemostasis testing modalities will be presented. The integrated role for the clinician, laboratory, blood bank, and PharmD will be highlighted through case studies as they apply to patients with bleeding problems.
Event Level: Intermediate
(9215-TC) Routine Health Screening of Blood Donors, Analysis of Issues
Director/Moderator: Peter Tomasulo, MD
Faculty: Meryln Sayers, MBBCh, PhD; Ned Calonge
Intended Audience: Physicians, Scientists, Nurses, CEOs/CFOs
Objectives:
· Evaluate the criteria used to select interventions used in widespread public screening.
· Discuss the obligations to the donors if public screening is performed.
· Determine the added value created for the donor by routine screening.
· Assess the screening strategies used successfully by blood centers.
Event Description: Blood donors can learn important information about their personal health when their blood is tested for donation purposes. In this session, a public health expert will outline the criteria used to select interventions used in widespread public screen. A blood center expert will present the screening strategies used successfully by blood centers.
Event Level: Advanced
(9216-TC) RFID and Blood Supply Chain
Director/Moderator: Lynne Briggs, BS, MA
Faculty: Lynne Briggs, BS, MA; Alfonso Gutierrez; Judy Levitt, MT(ASCP)SBB
Intended Audience: Technologists, Managers/Supervisors, CEOs/CFOs
Objectives:
- Understand basic components of RFID and status in general marketplace.
- Provide an overview of FDA request and status of clinical trials on use of high frequency RFID with blood products.
- Review the status and use of RFID in a large study within blood centers.
- Understand where RFID can benefit the blood community from the blood center through a hospital transfusion service to the patient bedside.
Event Description: The blood supply chain is a critical piller in the nation’s healthcare infrastructure. RFID has the potential to improve the flow of this supply chain, improve efficiencies, and increase safety. This session reviews where the use of RFID is in the blood supply chain, including recent clinical trials on the use of HF RFID with red cell and platelet products.
Event Level: Intermediate
(9217-TC-CT) Cellular Therapy Laboratories: Real Time Practice Survey and Discussion Director/Moderator: Lynn O'Donnell, PhD
Faculty: Lynn O'Donnell, PhD; Zbigniew Szczepiorkowski, MD
Intended Audience: Physicians, Technologists, Managers/Supervisors
Objectives:
- Learn how your practices compare to how other centers handle routine and challenging processes in a variety of topics in cellular therapy.
- Participate in voting and lively discussion of results to practice questions and find out and discuss the entire audience’s response immediately.
- Identify areas in your practice which could be changed or improved.
Event Description: Can't decide if or how to perform environmental monitoring? Not happy with your method of red blood cell depletion but not sure what alternative method to choose? Not sure if you can "sell" an FTE in quality to your administrator? When faced with questions such as these, practitioners in the field of cellular therapy frequently ask themselves "I wonder how everybody else handles this." Phone calls and emails to friends in the field or even complete strangers are common, and hopefully a handful of responses will be received from busy colleagues. AABB has recently initiated "Practice Snapshots" to assess practices within the cellular therapy field on a variety of focused topics through quick online surveys. This session will build on these old-fashioned methods of information exchange, using modern technology in a highly interactive exchange of information. Attendees at the session will be issued hand-held voting devices and will respond, in real time, to a series of questions posed by session moderators. The moderators will then lead friendly discussions or debates of the results. Come prepared not just to vote, but to participate in lively discussions in an exciting format that promises to be informative, interactive and actually fun.
Event Level: Intermediate
(9218-QE) Quality Hot Topics
Director/Moderator: Mary Beth Bassett, BS, MT(ASCP)
Faculty: Holly Rapp, MT(ASCP)SBB, CQA(ASQ)CMQ/OE; Mary Lieb, BS, MT(ASCP)SBB, CQA(ASQ); Patricia Tomlin,
Intended Audience: Physicians, Technologists, Nurses, Managers/Supervisors
Objectives:
- Understand how the quality "hot topics" relate to your work.
- Learn different perspectives on quality related topics through experienced professionals representing various facility types such as blood centers, transfusion services, etc.
- Learn and have fun.
Event Description: Are you yearning to know what's "hot" in Quality? If so, join us at the Second Annual Quality "Hot Topics" session. In a talk show format, you will get the latest information on what's "hot" in quality. Topics and speakers will be selected as close to the meeting as possible to ensure the topics are the most important quality issues facing the industry. This session will have oral presentations with a very interactive audience participation.
Event Level: Basic to Intermediate
(9219-RC) Don't Panic. It's Just an Inspection!
Director/Moderator: Peggy Barlow
Faculty: Patrick Ooley, MSM, MT(ASCP), CQA(ASQ); Michele Walker; Brandye Norman
Intended Audience: Managers/Supervisors
Objectives:
- Discuss how collections can prepare and participate in internal audits.
- Identify various agencies that provide regulatory and accrediting oversight and learn how to host their inspections.
- Determine methods for disseminating findings of inspections to staff and creating corrective action plans.
Event Description: This program is designed to provide an introduction to the world of internal and external assessments as it pertains to collections. Attendees will walk through the basics of internal assessments, then on to the do's and don'ts of hosting an external inspection, ending with how to proceed and improve after an inspection.
Event Level: Basic to Intermediate
(9220-RC) Donor Motivation and Incentives: Are They Necessary? ADRP/AABB Joint Program
Director: Carolyn Mihalko, MS
Moderator: Charles Moore, MA
Faculty: Paul Sullivan; John Armitage; Kay Schwartz, BS, MT(ASCP), CQA(ASQ)
Intended Audience: Managers/Supervisors
Objectives:
- Compare various donor incentive programs currently offered.
- Discuss the connection between donor motivation and incentives.
- List alternatives to donor incentives.
Event Description: The World Health Organization considers voluntary non-remunerated regular blood donors who give out of altruism to be safest blood donors. Yet currently in the U.S., blood donors receive t-shirts, movie tickets, and are entered into opportunity drawings for sports tickets, cars, televisions and motorcycles. Are these incentives essential to donor motivation? Are they effective? Do they cross the line from harmless to hurting the safety of the blood supply? Would donor recognition programs, convenience, modern donor centers and exceptional customer service serve the same purpose as incentives? These issues will be addressed by the leaders of three blood centers in Connecticut, Florida and Oklahoma.
Event Level: Intermediate to Advanced
(9221-LMT) Project Management: My Other Day Job
Director: Mitzi Robbins, MT(ASCP)SBB
Moderator: Loyce Holmes, MSM-PM
Faculty: Jeannine McCullough, BS RN; Gregg Boothe, MS, MT(ASCP)SBB; M.S. Chetan, MBA
Intended Audience: Technologists, Nurses, Managers/Supervisors, CEOs/CFOs
Objectives:
- Select appropriate projects to meet the goals of the organization, match the right project lead to the right project, and provide guidance for the project management program.
- Learn the skills necessary to balance routine job duties with a project management role.
- Identify the most commonly encountered project management pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Event Description: The use of a well-defined project management program allows a company to select, manage, and complete projects designed to meet organizational goals. In this workshop, we will address three of the most critical factors in driving project management success: selecting the right project and project manager; managing dual organizational roles; and avoiding the pitfalls that can derail a project.
Event Level: Basic to Intermediate
(9239-TC) New Directions in Forensic Science
Director: Susan Greenspoon, PhD
Moderator: George Maha, JD, PhD, MT(ASCP)
Faculty: Tom Reid, PhD; Katie Hall, PhD; Stephan Jovanovich, PhD
Intended Audience: Physicians, Scientists, Technologist, Nurses, Managers/Supervisors
Objectives:
· Define a meaningful sibling index and compare familial searching investigation tools used in Europe versus what is available in the US.
· Describe how intelligence interests are spurring on development in total automation systems/microchip technologies and this wi