Y. Lin

Internal medicine resident knowledge of transfusion medicine: results from the BEST‐TEST international education needs assessment

Blood transfusion is the most common hospital procedure performed in the United States. While inadequate physician transfusion medicine knowledge may lead to inappropriate practice, such an educational deficit has not been investigated on an international scale using a validated assessment tool. Identifying specific deficiencies is critical for developing curricula to improve patient care.

Development of a validated exam to assess physician transfusion medicine knowledge.

There is evidence that physicians lack adequate transfusion medicine knowledge. To design needs‐based educational interventions to address this gap, a validated assessment tool is required. Previously published exams have not been created or validated using rigorous psychometric methods.

A systematic assessment of the quality of reporting for platelet transfusion studies.

BACKGROUND: As evidence‐based medicine assumes increasing importance, there is a need for high‐quality reporting of clinical studies. A recent review of clinical platelet (PLT) studies indicated variability in reporting. We undertook a critical analysis of PLT transfusion studies to determine the quality of reporting.

BEST-TEST2: assessment of hematology trainee knowledge of transfusion medicine

As transfusion is a common therapy and key component in every hematologists practice, hematology training programs should dedicate significant time and effort to delivering high‐quality transfusion medicine education to their trainees. The current state of hematology trainee knowledge of transfusion medicine is not known.

Prophylactic RhCE and Kell antigen matching: impact on alloimmunization in transfusion-dependent patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

Thirty to 80 per cent of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) become transfusion‐dependent and are at risk for red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization. This study compared alloimmunization rates in transfusion‐dependent patients with MDS at an institution with a policy of prophylactic antigen matching for RhCE and K (PAM) with those transfused at institutions without such a policy (non‐PAM).

The association of fever with transfusion-associated circulatory overload.

Fever is described in transfusion‐associated circulatory overload (TACO), reflecting either comprehensive haemovigilance or an inflammatory pathobiology (such as congestion‐associated atheroma disruptions).

An order set and checklist improve physician transfusion ordering practices to mitigate the risk of transfusion-associated circulatory overload.

There are few studies of quality interventions to mitigate the risk of transfusion‐associated circulatory overload (TACO). Our aim was to reduce TACO risk in patients admitted to internal medicine at our hospital, by addressing gaps in transfusion practice.

Transfusion medicine education for non‐transfusion medicine physicians: a structured review

As transfusion is a commonly identified overused intervention, there is a clear gap between evidence‐based and clinical practice. To close this gap, there is not only a need for increased transfusion medicine educational opportunities but for those using structured and proven instructional methods. Kern and colleagues have defined important steps to be considered in curricular design: general needs assessment; targeted needs assessment; goals and objectives; educational strategies; implementation; and evaluation and feedback. We use this framework to examine the current state of transfusion medicine educational initiatives for the non‐transfusion medicine physician.

Safety of lumbar punctures in patients with thrombocytopenia

American Association of Blood Banks guidelines recommend a minimum platelet count of 50 × 109/l for LPs (lumbar puncture), but evidence is lacking. The objective of this study was to describe the range of platelet counts at which LPs are performed, and the rate of traumatic taps and haemorrhagic complications in an adult oncology population.

Audit of appropriate use of platelet transfusions: validation of adjudication criteria

Platelet (PLT) transfusions must be used appropriately, as they are in chronic short supply, costly and risky to patients. The goals of this audit were to: (1) validate preset adjudication criteria through an audit of appropriateness at four large academic hospitals; (2) identify variability in appropriateness across medical services, physician specialties or hospital locations; and (3) inform logistical or educational interventions that may reduce inappropriate use.