No images? Click here ![]() Iron optimisation in pregnancyUp to 70% of pregnant women in Australia are estimated to be impacted by obstetric iron deficiency (ID), resulting in adverse outcomes for the mother and neonate. ID is the most prevalent cause of anaemia, though the two diagnoses are not equal. Consensus statements regarding the optimisation of obstetric ID have been lacking. What can you do as a health professional working in the field? Devised by the Haematology in Obstetrics and Women’s Health (HOW) Collaborative, a multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals worked together to develop consensus recommendations on optimisation of ID in pregnancy and highlight the non-erythropoietic roles of iron as well as the harmful effects of tissue ID to both mother and infant. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used to evaluate the levels of evidence and strength of recommendations. Recommendations include:
We're currently updating the maternity blood management resources available on the Lifeblood site, so watch this space. ![]() World Anaemia Awareness DayA day was marked last month to highlight this major global health issue that can impact nearly one quarter of the world's population. Anaemia has multiple risk factors and causes, including serious health conditions, and iron deficiency is a major cause both in Australia and internationally. Regular menstrual losses, expansion of maternal blood volume during pregnancy, and blood loss during and after childbirth, particularly with postpartum haemorrhage, commonly lead to anaemia and iron deficiency. ![]() Product transition updatesIntroduction of Beriplex® AU to replace Beriplex® P/N The transition of Australia's prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) product, Beriplex®, is about to start with staggered start dates nationally from the end of March to early May 2025. Lifeblood will be running down our inventory of Beriplex® P/N before switching to Beriplex® AU and have communicated with customers/laboratories the details of the transition, including to continue to place orders for Beriplex® P/N until we send notification of the transition in their region. Transition to split apheresis cryoprecipitate – now complete for all states Lifeblood's inventory of large-dose apheresis cryoprecipitate has been exhausted in all states. With the transition complete, we're now supplying only whole blood and split apheresis cryoprecipitate to laboratories. Whole blood or split apheresis cryoprecipitate units are equivalent and interchangeable. The recommended adult dose is 10 units of either presentation. Transfusion Service Providers may continue to have a mixed inventory of large dose and split apheresis units until remaining stocks of large-dose units are used. ![]() Is there a role for AI in transfusion?Artificial intelligence (AI) has attracted growing global interest but use in medical settings introduces potential for harm and error as well as significant ethical concerns. Published in Vox Sanguinis are the findings from the 2024 International Congress of the ISBT Clinical Transfusion Working Party workshop which explored the applications, concerns, challenges and potential of AI and machine learning tools across the transfusion chain, in blood banking and clinical transfusion practice, transfusion education and research. An electronic survey of meeting attendees (n=72) found 70% use AI (50% for research, 41% in practice and 35% in education) with only 12% reporting having had specific training or education. Significant risks and concerns identified included misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment due to errors in Al algorithms, lack of transparency of AI decision-making, biased data sets and impact on health inequality, privacy, data security, plagiarism and patient consent. The working group shared concerns related to the accuracy of information provided, over-reliance on AI which could erode clinical expertise and potentially diminish the quality of patient care. The workshop highlighted the need for accessible education and training resources, standards, regulatory frameworks to guide health care organisations and professionals, and rigorous testing for robustness and fairness. The paper provides a concise summary of existing studies on the use of AI tools in blood banking and transfusion practice, including their potential and major limitations faced in real world applications. A review of use of AI for transfusion educators and researchers is also covered. ![]() Ready for requesting in 2025Do you or your team need to set up BloodSTAR access to request immunoglobin (Ig) products? The National Blood Authority’s (NBA) user tips and support materials (including short instructional videos) can streamline the process for setting up access or for changing your facility. You could share the quick links below with new staff who need BloodSTAR access as part of their role and include them in orientation materials. If you need to access BloodSTAR for more than one workplace, you'll need to add a new user role for each hospital or facility you practice at. For guidance on how to register for BloodPortal and get user access to BloodSTAR, go to the NBA BloodSTAR user tips and support materials. The NBA materials also include a flow chart with a simple step-by-step guide outlining the process for accessing government funded IVIg/SCIg for a patient.
Upcoming webinar ![]()
Unlocking understanding: Red cell genotyping and molecular testing in immunohaematology and transfusion practice Join our Red Cell Reference scientists, Naomi Roots and Glenda Millard, for the first episode: Red cell genotyping and molecular testing -principles and indications. Tuesday 25 March 1.00-1.45pm (AEDT) |