International Program:Transfusion Safety in the Hospital
Program Code: 421-TC
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM (ET)

SPEAKERS
Marisa Marques, MD, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Michael Murphy, MD, FRCP, FRCPATH, FFPATH (M.), University of Oxford
Paolo Rebulla, MD, Foundation Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy

DESCRIPTION
This session will feature speakers from different parts of the world, including the US, who will address this important topic. We have done so much to assure that our donors present as close to a "zero risk" for our transfusion recipients as possible. However, now is the time to focus on the transfusion of those products to our patients. The speakers will present their perspectives and experiences on transfusion safety in the hospital and discuss solutions and initiatives aimed at bringing improvement. The international reception follows the program.

OBJECTIVES

• Explain the interconnected series of steps from pre-transfusion testing of the potential recipient to the evaluation of transfusion outcomes
• Evaluate data with the expected outcome of exemplifying areas of concern as well as improving practice
• Describe "wrong blood transfusion" and potential solutions to improve transfusion safety in the hospital setting
• Describe approaches developed in some Italian hospitals to improve transfusion recipient identification and to promote staff training on this topic

AUDIENCE
Physicians, Technologists, Nurses, Managers/Supervisors, CEOs/CFOs

PROGRAM LEVEL
Intermediate