Accredited Lectures

This lecture by Dr. Michel Garcia provides a comprehensive overview of blood donation procedures, from donor vein assessment to post-donation care. It emphasizes proper vein selection, skin antisepsis, equipment preparation, and accurate venipuncture techniques to ensure both donor safety and blood product quality. Detailed guidance is provided for blood collection, including donor monitoring, flow management, and maintenance of a sterile environment throughout the procedure. The material also addresses common technical challenges, such as decreased blood flow, absent flow in the tubing, and hematoma formation, along with appropriate troubleshooting strategies. Safe discontinuation of collection and effective post-donation care are highlighted as essential steps to prevent complications and promote donor well-being. Overall, the content underscores that meticulous technique, continuous observation, and adherence to standardized procedures are critical for successful blood collection and transfusion safety.

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS:  0.5 hours

In this lecture, Eva Quinley introduces those who may not have formal laboratory training to the basic principles involved in testing, or it can serve as a refresher for anyone who works in the testing laboratory. It familiarizes participants with important definitions of testing and sets a foundation for their understanding of how testing is conducted from collection of the sample all the way through to reporting of results

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS: 0.5 hours

In this lecture global expert Dr. Robert Hecht provides an overview of the laboratory automation development journey. He will highlight key milestones on his lifelong journey. The audience will also take away his experiential insights and learnings, leading to a greater understanding of the opportunities associated with laboratory automation.

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS: P.A.C.E. NOT AVAILABLE | CPD 0.18.27

In this lecture, Dr. Masahiro Satake provides an overview of the human hepatitis E virus (HEV), including its key characteristics, global distribution of variants, and clinical practice guidelines.  He explains how HEV poses a risk to the blood supply and reviews documented cases of transfusion-transmitted infections in Japan, Germany, and the UK.  The lecture concludes with a discussion on the implications for effective donor screening strategies.

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS: 0.5 hours

In this lecture Dr. Susan L. Stramer, PhD, MS, presents a continuation of the evolution, impact, and future directions of nucleic acid testing (NAT) for blood donor safety. The focus of this lecture is NAT plus competing technologies directed towards Emerging Infectious Disease (EID) agents. She begins by highlighting the agents that will be discussed and their current and evolving mitigation strategies. Strategies include variations of selective testing using antibody methods, modifications of NAT depending on the agent’s epidemiology including seasonal testing, focused testing and pool sizes used, red cell parasites that require red cell lysis followed by NAT, NAT multiplexing for multiple agent detection; alternatives to NAT including leukoreduction for leukocyte-associated agents, and pathogen reduction. Discussed are the agents for which NAT has been evaluated worldwide including: hepatitis E virus (HEV), West Nile virus (WNV), Babesia, Plasmodium, parvovirus, human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and bacteria. Dr. Stramer then discusses the international use and the agent-specific expansion of NAT. Lastly, Dr. Stramer discusses the impact of pathogen reduction and potential for the streamlining of donation screening strategies leading to the eventual co-existence of pathogen reduction and NAT.

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS: 1.0 hour

Iron plays a vital role in the human body, primarily in oxygen transport via hemoglobin and storage in ferritin, a protein that reflects iron reserves. Ferritin testing is a key tool for assessing iron status, especially in populations at risk of deficiency. In this lecture, Dr. Laura Infanti describes the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, with a focus on blood donors, and how donors are especially vulnerable due to iron loss during donation. To address iron loss, ferritin testing in blood donors has become increasingly important, enabling ferritin-based donor management strategies that help maintain donor health and ensure a sustainable blood supply. Final considerations emphasize the need for ongoing monitoring, education, and tailored interventions to balance donor safety with blood collection needs.

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS: 0.5 hours

In this lecture by Dr. Mary Rodgers, it’s critical that we stay one step ahead of infectious disease threats as known viruses evolve and new pathogens emerge faster than ever before. Abbott has expanded on decades of viral surveillance for HIV and hepatitis to identify, track, and respond more quickly to these threats through the Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition. Join us to learn more about this first-of-its-kind global network that is dedicated to ending current epidemics and helping to prevent future pandemics, and the impact we’ve had in helping provide the healthcare community confidence for today and protection and tomorrow.

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS: P.A.C.E. NOT AVAILABLE | CPD 0.28.22

This lecture by Dr. Neil Blumberg, MD, demonstrates that leukoreduction of blood transfusions has been shown in randomized trials or high-quality observational trials to reduce immunologic complications such as febrile/rigor transfusion reactions, post-operative infections, cardiac surgery mortality, platelet transfusion refractoriness, cytomegalovirus transmission, and complications of the premature newborn such as retinopathy. Observational data also preliminarily suggest that the occurrence of TRALI (acute lung injury) and TACO (congestive heart failure), graft versus host disease, red cell alloimmunization, and post-transfusion purpura may be mitigated. Universal leukoreduction was introduced worldwide, except in the USA, during the estimated period of 1998-2000. Data suggest that while blood transfusion service costs increase, there are substantial overall savings to health care systems through decreased complications and length of stay.

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS: 0.5 hours