Continuing Education Episode!
Continuing Education!

Understanding reference lab techniques like adsorption, elution, and enzymes feels like learning a new language! Jan Hamilton is here to help you learn to speak “reference lab.”

102CE Hamilton reference lab

Jan Hamilton, MS, MT(ASCP)SBB

Most of the routine testing done in hospital transfusion services is quickly mastered by those learning transfusion medicine. However, when things start to get complicated, more advanced testing may be necessary, and words like “adsorption,” “elution,” and “enzymes” are spoken by the local reference laboratory.

We Need a Translator!

This interview will introduce some of you to Jan Hamilton, who is the manager of the Immunohematology Reference Laboratory at the American Red Cross-Southeastern Michigan Region in Detroit, Michigan (I say “some of you” because Jan’s work is pretty widely known, and many of you are already aware of how awesome she is!). Jan will help you understand more clearly how to “speak reference lab” and understand these more advanced serologic techniques. The interview also includes answers to the commonly asked question, “which testing platform is best?”

Wait, a FREE BOOK?

You read that right! Jan is one of the authors of the incredibly helpful book from AABB Press, “Antibody Identification: Art or Science?”, and the AABB, along with Wiley Health Learning and Transfusion News, have arranged for you to have the chance to win a free copy of the book. See details below in the Continuing Education box!

102CE Hamilton reference lab

Jan Hamilton, MS, MT(ASCP)SBB

Most of the routine testing done in hospital transfusion services is quickly mastered by those learning transfusion medicine. However, when things start to get complicated, more advanced testing may be necessary, and words like “adsorption,” “elution,” and “enzymes” are spoken by the local reference laboratory.

We Need a Translator!

This interview will introduce some of you to Jan Hamilton, who is the manager of the Immunohematology Reference Laboratory at the American Red Cross-Southeastern Michigan Region in Detroit, Michigan (I say “some of you” because Jan’s work is pretty widely known, and many of you are already aware of how awesome she is!). Jan will help you understand more clearly how to “speak reference lab” and understand these more advanced serologic techniques. The interview also includes answers to the commonly asked question, “which testing platform is best?”

Wait, a FREE BOOK?

You read that right! Jan is one of the authors of the incredibly helpful book from AABB Press, “Antibody Identification: Art or Science?”, and the AABB, along with Wiley Health Learning and Transfusion News, have arranged for you to have the chance to win a free copy of the book. See details below in the Continuing Education box!

102CE featured image reference lab

About My Guest:

Jan Hamilton, MS, MT(ASCP)SBB is the Manager of the Immunohematology Reference Laboratory (IRL) at the American Red Cross-Southeastern Michigan Region in Detroit, Michigan. She is a member of the ISBT Immunohaematology Working Party and recently joined the journal Immunuhematology as an Associate Editor. She is past chair of the AABB IRL Accreditation Program Unit and the ACSP Board of Registry Blood Bank Examination Committee. Jan co-authored the chapter “Identification of Antibodies to Red Cell Antigens” in the 18th and 19th editions of the AABB Technical Manual. She also is co-author of “Antibody Identification: Art or Science? A Case Study Approach ,”and “Investigating Positive DAT Results: A Case Study Approach.” Her special interest is performing and teaching serological problem solving. She has been part of the Indian Immunohematology Initiative which focuses on hands-on immunohematology education in India and neighboring South Asian countries.

FREE Continuing Education!

This podcast episode offers a FREE continuing education activity where you can earn two different types of credit: 1 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM, or 1 ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Contact Hour (including Florida Clinical Laboratory Credit). This activity also may be used to fulfill Lifelong Learning Continuing Certification requirements for the American Board of Pathology.

To receive credit and review the accreditation information and related disclosures, please visit Transfusion News Continuing Education on Wiley Health Learning.

Please note: Continuing education credit is available for two years from the date this episode was released. In other words, you will no longer be able to claim credit for this episode after June 22, 2025.

Win a Free Book!!

For this episode only, all those who complete the continuing education module at the links above are automatically entered into a drawing for a free book co-written by Jan Hamilton, my guest for this episode. This is true even if you are student, resident, or other learner, and you don’t yet NEED continuing education! Simply follow the directions at Transfusion News Continuing Education on Wiley Health Learning, and you may win one of two copies of “Antibody Identification: Art or Science” from AABB Press we are giving away (giveaway courtesy of AABB). The drawing will take place on Friday, July 14, 2023, and winners will be notified directly.

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 Ms. Hamilton nor I have any relevant financial disclosures.

Further Reading:

  • Hamilton JR, Johnson ST, and Rudmann SV, eds. “Antibody Identification: Art or Science: A Case Study Approach.” AABB Press 2013

Special thanks to:

  • Tommy Walker and Tommy Walker Ministries for the use of his amazing song, “Get Up,” heard at the beginning and end of the episode
  • Jessica Murray, BBGuy Assistant

Additional Music Credit

Music for this episode includes “Reflejo,” 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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