News - Page 3 of 18 - ANZSBT Members Portal

ANZSBT and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood presents the following webinar.

Prevention of transfusion associated graft versus host disease – 2024 update

22^nd May 2024 13:00-14:00 AEST

Transfusion associated graft versus host disease (TA-GVHD) is a rare, devastating and usually fatal complication following transfusion of cellular blood components caused by engraftment of donor derived T cells into transfusion recipients. Irradiation of blood components for patients at risk has been the standard of care for TA-GVHD prevention, yet we know may be overlooked in complex health care systems, and leaves a small residual risk in patients not in traditional risk groups. Irradiation also damages red cells, limiting storage duration, particularly for patients at risk of hyperkalaemia. This limits the ability to manage residual risk. At the same time, emerging evidence has suggested some protective effect of leukocyte depletion and a reduced risk with longer cold storage times. This webinar will summarise the causes, risk factors and protective factors for TA-GVHD and describe risk mitigation approaches as outlined in the 2024 revision of ANZSBT TA-GVHD prevention Guidelines.

Presenters:

Dr Philip Crispin. Vice President and Clinical Transfusion Practice Committee member, ANZSBT

Dr Bryony Ross, Chair, Clinical Transfusion Practice Committee, ANZSBT

Ms Kristen Brown, Clinical Transfusion Practice Committee, ANZSBT

Ms Helen Stathopoulos, Transfusion Science Standing Committee, ANZSBT

ANZSBT are pleased to present, in partnership with Haemonetics, this upcoming webinar titled Past, Present and Future of Blood Inventory Management.

The webinar will be held on 30th April 2024 from 1600 – 1730 (AEST).

Click here to register.

An exciting career opportunity awaits you with the Victorian Blood Matters team. They are currently seeking a Program Manager to join their dynamic and dedicated team.

This is a permanent part-time position working 30.4 hours per week in a hybrid format. The role will be based at the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Melbourne Processing Centre, located in West Melbourne, Victoria.

You can find out more information about the role and how to apply through this link Career Opportunities: Blood Matters Program Manager (4614) (successfactors.com)

Applications are open now and will close 19 April 2024.

For further details on the particulars of the role please contact Linley Bielby on lbielby@redcrossblood.org.au and for additional information on the recruitment process please contact Svet Subotic on ssubotic@redcrossblood.org.au

The National Blood Authority (NBA) is pleased to announce that the Guideline for the prophylactic use of Rh D immunoglobulin in pregnancy care (the guideline) is now available.

The guideline was developed by a multidisciplinary expert reference group (ERG) using GRADE methodology and is a minor update of the 2021 guideline. The NBA gratefully acknowledges the dedication and clinical expertise provided by the ERG.

The guideline has recommendations and expert opinion points for health professionals on the appropriate use and timing of:

pathology tests to identify maternal and fetal Rh D status
prophylactic Rh D immunoglobulin in Rh D negative pregnant women

The guideline has been published on MAGICapp (an online guideline publishing platform) for more information and to access the guideline go to www.blood.gov.au/anti-d-0. A guideline summary, PDF version of the guideline, adaptable care pathway and technical reports are available within the guideline and on the webpage.

To assist with guideline implementation BloodSafe e-learning have developed an online education program RhD immunoglobulin for health professionals caring for Rh D negative pregnant women. It is available online at https://learn.bloodsafelearning.org.au/course/details/rhd-immunoglobulin.

NATA in conjunction with TGA have planned 3 information sessions which will enhance the corporate knowledge base of facilities with the TGA IVD Regulatory Framework.

The sessions will also introduce new TGA initiatives.

These will be run as a series, and you are encouraged to attend all three free information sessions.

Session 1: Tuesday 12th March 2024, 12.30pm – 1.30pm

Refresher on In-house IVD Regulatory framework

Presenter: Shraddha Swami

Director, Devices In Vitro Diagnostics Section, Medical Device Authorisation Branch

Session 2: Thursday 14th March 2024, 12.30pm – 1.30pm

Data requirements and assessment approach – including Companion Diagnostics

Presenter: Rebecca Coorey

Senior Evaluator, Devices In Vitro Diagnostics Section, Medical Device Authorisation Branch

Session 3: Tuesday 19th March 2024, 12.30pm – 1.30pm

Introduction of new In-house IVD notification form

Presenter: Euan Miller

Assistant Director, Devices In Vitro Diagnostics Section, Medical Device Authorisation Branch

Note: These sessions will be recorded.

Once you register, you will receive the Teams link to the session.

If you have any questions ahead of this session, please direct them to: NATATGAIVD@nata.com.au

There has been a minor update to Blood Administration Guidelines. Following feedback from members, the Clinical Transfusion Practice Committee and ANZSBT Council reviewed current practice and evidence for co-administration of albumin with blood components and medications. Significant differences in information provided by manufacturers of blood components, medications and 5% albumin were found, with the latter varying from longstanding practice and ANZSBT advice on the use of 4% albumin. No rationale for this change or evidence to indicate harm from 5% rather than 4% albumin could be found. Prohibition of albumin 5% co-administration with fresh blood products could severely impact patients in the limited circumstances where this is established practice. Similarly, prohibiting mixing of albumin 5% with certain medications (where appropriate evidence exists) could restrict access or require alternate preparations of albumin to be sourced for this very limited use.

The Guideline update continues to support albumin co-administration with red cells irrespective of albumin concentration. Additional guidance on managing conflicts between prescriber information for medications and manufactured plasma components is provided . Changes can be found in 6.6.1 and 6.6.3.

Access the update from the Guidelines page.

NATA is pleased to announce the inaugural Accreditation Matters conference on 25^th and 26^th June 2024 at the Sydney International Convention Centre.

The main conference themes are centred on Australia’s needs in maintaining a sustainable economy in light of current challenges.

The conference will be of value to anyone interested in accreditation and conformity assessment.

For more information on the conference, including the diverse program, please refer to the link below:

https://nataevents.nata.com.au/am2024/registration/Site/Register

Registration Discount for ANZSBT Members. To take advantage of this offer Members can choose the Registration Option “Member of Association” and use the following code MOA2024 when registering to receive their discount.

ANZSBT is pleased to advise the availability of the Second Edition of Guidelines on the Prevention of TA-GVHD. The new Guideines have been developed by the Clinical Practice Improvement Committee with the support of many Society members.

The revised Guidelines are available from the ANZSBT Guidelines page.

The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) is excited to invite you to the
38th International Congress, set to take place in Barcelona, Spain from June 23-27,
2024. Registration is now open for #ISBTBarcelona!

For more information please refer to the notification below:

ISBT Barcelona

Upcoming webinar – Prevention of transfusion associated graft versus host disease

ANZSBT Webinar : Past, Present and Future of Blood Inventory Management

Career Opportunities: Blood Matters Program Manager

Release of updated Guideline for the prophylactic use of Rh D immunoglobulin in pregnancy care

NATA and TGA: Free online IVD Regulations and IVD Framework information sessions

Minor Revision to Guidelines for the Administration of Blood Products

NATA Sydney 2024: Accreditation Matters

Transfusion Associated Graft Versus Host Disease Guidelines

ISBT Barcelona 2024: A Global Gathering of Transfusion Professionals