The 32nd edition of AABB Standards is effective April 2020. Rich Gammon, Chair of the BBTS Standards Committee, is here with the Top 10 changes you need to know!

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

Rich Gammon AABB Standards

Dr. Rich Gammon

If it’s an even year, it must be time for the AABB to issue another brand-new version of their Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services (we just call it “Standards” for short). The 32st edition of this dense little book becomes effective on April 1, 2020, and it contains a number of important changes.

The Chair is in The House!

I asked Dr. Rich Gammon, Chair of the Blood Bank Transfusion Service Standards Committee, to join me to talk about the ten most important changes in the 32nd edition (in our opinion, anyway!). As chair, Rich was intimately involved in the process of the development of the new Standards, and it is a great honor to have him join me. While we talked all about the “Top 10,” Rich also explained the differences between these Standards and actual regulations from organizations like the FDA. He also described the process for how new and revised Standards come into existence.

The Top 10!

Here are the top 10 changes Dr. Gammon and I discussed in this episode:

  1. Iron mitigation strategies (Standard 5.2.1)
  2. Parental notice (Standard 5.2.2)
  3. Cold-stored platelets (Standards 5.1.8A and 5.19.7)
  4. Medication deferral list and vaccination update (Standard 5.4.1A)
  5. “Two-sample requirement” for ABO confirmation; new requirement for “a new verification of patient identity” (Standard 5.14.5)
  6. Rh positive components to Rh negative recipients (Standard 5.15.2.1)
  7. Washed cellular products policy (Standard 5.19.3)
  8. Removal of patient monitoring requirement following transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood (Standard 5.27.1.1)
  9. Vital sign requirement before/during/after transfusion (Standard 5.29.1)
  10. Utilization review requiring group O RBC and AB plasma use (Standard 8.2)

Rich Gammon AABB Standards

Dr. Rich Gammon

If it’s an even year, it must be time for the AABB to issue another brand-new version of their Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services (we just call it “Standards” for short). The 32st edition of this dense little book becomes effective on April 1, 2020, and it contains a number of important changes.

The Chair is in The House!

I asked Dr. Rich Gammon, Chair of the Blood Bank Transfusion Service Standards Committee, to join me to talk about the ten most important changes in the 32nd edition (in our opinion, anyway!). As chair, Rich was intimately involved in the process of the development of the new Standards, and it is a great honor to have him join me. While we talked all about the “Top 10,” Rich also explained the differences between these Standards and actual regulations from organizations like the FDA. He also described the process for how new and revised Standards come into existence.

The Top 10!

Here are the top 10 changes Dr. Gammon and I discussed in this episode:

  1. Iron mitigation strategies (Standard 5.2.1)
  2. Parental notice (Standard 5.2.2)
  3. Cold-stored platelets (Standards 5.1.8A and 5.19.7)
  4. Medication deferral list and vaccination update (Standard 5.4.1A)
  5. “Two-sample requirement” for ABO confirmation; new requirement for “a new verification of patient identity” (Standard 5.14.5)
  6. Rh positive components to Rh negative recipients (Standard 5.15.2.1)
  7. Washed cellular products policy (Standard 5.19.3)
  8. Removal of patient monitoring requirement following transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood (Standard 5.27.1.1)
  9. Vital sign requirement before/during/after transfusion (Standard 5.29.1)
  10. Utilization review requiring group O RBC and AB plasma use (Standard 8.2)

About My Guest:

Dr. Richard Gammon is a subject matter expert in the area of patient blood management. His programs provide hospitals with current evidenced-based transfusion thresholds, management of the transfusion committee and emphasize the importance of appropriate transfusions. Dr. Gammon holds Board Certifications in Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine as well as Clinical Pathology. He is a Medical Director for OneBlood and Transfusion Medicine Specialists and an Assistant Professor of Pathology for the University Of Central Florida College Of Medicine and a Clinical Associate Professor of Pathology at NOVA Southeastern University College of Allopathic Medicine as well as an Assistant Professor Collaborative Faculty with Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, University of South Florida.

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 Dr. Gammon nor I have any relevant financial disclosures.

Further Reading:

  • Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services, 32nd edition. AABB Press 2020.
  • Questions about Standards: Standards FAQs from AABB

Send AABB Your Questions!

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Music Credit

Music for this episode includes “Cuando te invade el temor” and “Reflejo,” both by Mar Virtual via the Free Music Archive. Click the image below for permissions and license details.
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