“Why are blood bankers so compulsive?” “What does that darn ‘3 day rule’ mean?” Sue Johnson answers these questions and more in part 1 of our interview on Pretransfusion Testing.

NOTE: Continuing Education credit for this episode has expired. See below for details.

Sue Johnson

Susan Johnson, MTSM, MT(ASCP)SBB

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! In fact, doing something wrong can be front page news, even if nothing terrible ends up happening! Sue Johnson returns in part 1 of a discussion of the first two steps in pretransfusion testing. As she did with the DAT, Sue will help you understand the “why” behind the tests.

The Five Steps of Pretransfusion Testing

In this interview, Sue will first detail the thoughts and ideas behind how the specimen is prepared and collected. She will help you understand just why “blood bankers are sooooo compulsive about all of this!” Sue continues by outlining the details of the actual tests performed on patient blood in preparation for transfusion. She will explain the strengths and weaknesses of the various testing technologies in use in modern transfusion services, and help you understand why there is no such thing as the “perfect testing platform.” In Part 2, episode 051, Sue will cover product selection, compatibility testing, and product labeling.

Sue Johnson

Susan Johnson, MTSM, MT(ASCP)SBB

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! In fact, doing something wrong can be front page news, even if nothing terrible ends up happening! Sue Johnson returns in part 1 of a discussion of the first two steps in pretransfusion testing. As she did with the DAT, Sue will help you understand the “why” behind the tests.

The Five Steps of Pretransfusion Testing

In this interview, Sue will first detail the thoughts and ideas behind how the specimen is prepared and collected. She will help you understand just why “blood bankers are sooooo compulsive about all of this!” Sue continues by outlining the details of the actual tests performed on patient blood in preparation for transfusion. She will explain the strengths and weaknesses of the various testing technologies in use in modern transfusion services, and help you understand why there is no such thing as the “perfect testing platform.” In Part 2, episode 051, Sue will cover product selection, compatibility testing, and product labeling.

About My Guest:

Sue Johnson, MSTM, MT(ASCP)SBB is the Director of Clinical Education at BloodCenter of Wisconsin (a part of Versiti). She also is the director of the Specialist in Blood Banking Program at BCW and the Transfusion Medicine Program at Marquette University. Sue is Associate Director of the Indian Immunohematology Initiative, a program designed to improve general immunohematology knowledge in South Asia. She is a sought-after speaker and world-class immunohematology expert. Sue also appeared on the most popular episode of this podcast, episode 028, discussing the Direct Antiglobulin Test.

Continuing Education Expired

This podcast episode offered continuing education credit for two years from its release date, but is no longer eligible for such credit.

To find Blood Bank Guy Essentials Podcast episodes with active continuing education opportunities, Click here or visit Transfusion News Continuing Education on Wiley Health Learning.

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed on this episode are those of my guest and I alone, and do not reflect those of the organizations with which either of us is affiliated. Neither Sue nor I have any relevant financial disclosures.

Music Credit

Music for this episode is by Mar Virtual via the Free Music Archive. Click the image below for permissions and license details.
Creative Commons license and link

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