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CE episode! Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) feels intimidating to learners because it sits at the intersection of blood banking, obstetrics, maternal-fetal medicine, and pediatrics. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Jen Andrews and Molly Sherwood to make this complex topic much more approachable. Jen brings the perspective of a pediatric hematologist and transfusion medicine specialist, while Molly adds both deep research experience and the personal perspective of a mother diagnosed with maternal alloimmunization. This episode is eligible for FREE Continuing Certification credit for physicians, laboratorians, and others until October 4, 2028 through my partnership with AABB. See BBGuy.org/CE or AABB.org/BBGuy for details.

CE episode! This episode explores the recognition and management of obstetric hemorrhage, with a focus on real-world, high-stakes scenarios that can evolve rapidly and unexpectedly. Through practical, evidence-based discussion, it highlights key risk factors, early warning signs, and the importance of coordinated, interprofessional response among obstetric, nursing, anesthesia, transfusion medicine, and laboratory teams.  This episode is eligible for FREE Continuing Certification credit for physicians, laboratorians, and others until April 28, 2028 through my partnership with AABB. See BBGuy.org/CE or AABB.org/BBGuy for details.

Hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) transplant continues to be used in more and more situations. In this episode, Dr. Brian Adkins outlines the many issues surrounding transfusion support in HPC transplant patients (yes, including the challenge of ABO-incompatible HPC transplants!).

Dr. Will Flanary is an ophthalmologist and stand-up comic who moonlights as the hilarious "Dr. Glaucomflecken" on social media. The Glaucomflecken videos have earned him an enormous worldwide following, as he has gently parodied physicians of many specialties (including pathology). He and his wife Kristin (aka "Lady Glaucomflecken") join me to share their inspirational story, with NO blood bank learning whatsoever! Even so, you've gotta listen!

Understanding reference lab techniques like adsorption, elution, and enzymes feels like learning a new language! Jan Hamilton is here with an incredible teaching interview to help you learn to speak "reference lab." Continuing education for this episode has EXPIRED. See BBGuy.org/CE or AABB.org/BBGuy for current CE-eligible episodes.

Advances in the practice of Transfusion Medicine happen regularly, and it can be difficult for both learners and those with more experience to keep up with the latest information. Further, many learners (and more "seasoned" types!) lack experience to evaluate strengths and weaknesses of the evidence in the medical literature. Dr. Rich Haspel joins me to describe how to evaluate evidence in the medical literature, and to discuss his take on low-titer group O whole blood. Continuing education for this episode has EXPIRED. See BBGuy.org/CE or AABB.org/BBGuy for current CE-eligible episodes.

To celebrate the 100th episode of Blood Bank Guy Essentials, Dr. Chaffin invites multiple previous guests (plus one brand new one!) to share brief "Pearls of Wisdom" with you. Learners of every level are sure to find Transfusion Medicine tips and tools to help care for patients in better ways. Thanks to all who have listened to this podcast in the past 7 years! Continuing education for this episode has EXPIRED. See BBGuy.org/CE or AABB.org/BBGuy for current CE-eligible episodes.

Rh Immune Globulin prevents at-risk moms from making anti-D, but calculating proper dose can be challenging. In fact, numerous reports have suggested that we mess this up a lot! This episode is a teaching session with me and one of the pathology residents at Loma Linda University, Jessica Hudson. In it, I try to simplify the calculations and discuss some of the mechanics and details around the use of this amazingly effective medication.

If a research project has been going on for over 30 years, you would think it's probably pretty good, right? Well, that's how long the REDS research project, sponsored by the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has been breaking new ground in Transfusion Medicine. The two co-chairs of the fourth phase, REDS-IV-P, are here to explain why the best is yet to come! Continuing education for this episode has EXPIRED. See BBGuy.org/CE or AABB.org/BBGuy for current CE-eligible episodes.

For decades, medical personnel have been aware of the technique of "Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution (ANH)," the collection of blood immediately before surgery followed by infusion near the end. Dr. Steve Frank and his colleagues in the Bloodless Medicine Program at Johns Hopkins believe ANH is an underutilized strategy. He joins the BBGuy Essentials Podcast to share the details of ANH, and show how other facilities can implement ANH as a part of their overall Patient Blood Management Program. Continuing education for this episode has EXPIRED. See BBGuy.org/CE or AABB.org/BBGuy for current CE-eligible episodes.

Blood shortages happen, but the one associated with COVID-19 is unique (and severe!). AABB Chief Medical Officer Dr. Claudia Cohn explains why and gives practical survival tips. Continuing education for this episode has EXPIRED. See BBGuy.org/CE or AABB.org/BBGuy for current CE-eligible episodes.

Plasma product names are confusing, but few are as misunderstood as Liquid Plasma. Dr. Chris Gresens explains why LP might be perfect for your transfusion service. Continuing education for this episode has EXPIRED. See BBGuy.org/CE or AABB.org/BBGuy for current CE-eligible episodes.

When most United States-based healthcare providers think of a hemoglobinopathy, sickle cell disease is the first to come to mind. That is understandable, given how frequently that disease is present in the US. However, worldwide, the various forms of thalassemia are a MASSIVE problem. Dr. Sujit Sheth takes us through the details around this deadly global disease, and how transfusion professionals can aid in care of thalassemia patients. Continuing education for this episode has EXPIRED. See BBGuy.org/CE or AABB.org/BBGuy for current CE-eligible episodes.

Usually, red cell alloantibodies are simple (find an antibody, give antigen-negative blood), but occasionally, some of them don't follow the rules! "Antibodies of variable clinical significance" act differently in different patients, sometimes causing hemolysis and sometimes not. They can be very hard to manage, especially because almost all blood donors are incompatible. The Monocyte Monolayer Assay, developed by today's guest, Sandy Nance, and her colleagues at the American Red Cross, helps answer the question, "Do we search the world for rare units of compatible blood, or can we just transfuse ABO-compatible red cells out of our regular inventory?" It's a great story, and this is a rare chance to hear about the MMA from one of the original sources, and to understand how to use it today. Continuing education for this episode has EXPIRED. See BBGuy.org/CE or AABB.org/BBGuy for current CE-eligible episodes.

Platelets have been used to save the lives of patients with low platelet counts for decades. For the most part, they are considered a safe and effective means to correct the problem of a patient not having enough platelets of their own. Despite that, we have wondered for decades about whether or not platelets should be given to patients with certain diseases where their platelets are being removed from circulation, like ITP, TTP, and HIT. My guest in this episode, Dr. Ruchika Goel, looked at platelet transfusion in those three entities, and she has data to share with us that might change the way you transfuse these patients.