Hoxworth showcases leadership, innovation at conference

The conference, a global event for the blood and biotherapies industry, brought together professionals, scientists and experts to share the latest advancements, research and best practices. Hoxworth’s participation through oral presentations, poster abstracts and educational sessions highlighted the organization’s commitment to advancing transfusion medicine and biotherapies.

At this year’s AABB meeting, Hoxworth Blood Center presented several studies and participated in educational sessions that emphasized its role as a leader in the field. The presentations spanned important topics, including the safety of apheresis platelet transfusions and advancements in inventory management using technology.

One of the key oral presentations from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Hoxworth Blood Center was titled “No Evidence of Anti-D Alloimmunization After RhD-Positive Apheresis Platelet Transfusion to RhD-Negative Pediatric, Adolescent and Young Adults without RhIg Prophylaxis.”

Presented by Kristina Prus, MD, Sachie Ikegami, MD, PhD, and Stephanie Kinney, MD, this study explored the occurrence of alloimmunization, a process in which the immune system forms antibodies against transfused blood cells.

The study demonstrated no evidence of anti-D alloimmunization in RhD-negative pediatric, adolescent and young adult patients who received RhD-positive apheresis platelet transfusions without RhIg prophylaxis. This finding is significant as it reassures the safety of transfusions in these patient populations, particularly in situations where RhD-negative platelet products are scarce. These insights offer valuable data for transfusion medicine specialists and clinical practice.

Both posters below illustrated Hoxworth’s commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to enhance the quality of blood management and distribution.

“Process improvement for the electronic documentation of LVDS platelets that test positive for bacterial detection” (P-BC-51)

The poster above, authored by Stacy Braun, Jennifer O’Connor, Mollie Bell, Judith Gonzalez, David Oh and Jenine Fields, detailed advancements in electronic documentation processes for LVDS (large volume, delayed sampling) platelets that test positive for bacterial detection. The study aimed at improving the safety and tracking of blood products, ensuring the highest standards in patient care.

“Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Vendor Managed Inventory” (P-PC-23)

This presentation, authored by Jenine Fields, Jennifer O’Connor, Judith Gonzalez, James Edwards, David Jean-Baptiste and Amit Mayer, focused on the implementation of RFID technology to enhance inventory management of blood products. By using RFID, the team improved accuracy and efficiency in tracking blood supplies, which is crucial for maintaining an adequate and safe blood inventory for transfusion.

Hoxworth's expertise was also highlighted in educational sessions and corporate-sponsored presentations.

1. Educational session on transfusion medicine, hemostasis, apheresis and cellular therapy
   David Oh, MD, co-chair and director at Hoxworth Blood Center, joined speakers from prestigious institutions, such as the Mayo Clinic, in an educational session titled “Transfusion Medicine, Hemostasis, Apheresis and Cellular Therapy Review Session for Trainees” (AM24-SN-26-L). Chaired by Huy P. Pham, MD, MPH, this session provided essential insights into various aspects of transfusion medicine and cellular therapies, aiming to educate trainees on the complexities and latest developments in the field.
   
   
2. Corporate-sponsored session: Terumo science and innovation — launch into the future of whole blood With revolutionary Reveos
   Judith Gonzalez, chief blood operations officer at Hoxworth Blood Center, co-presented a session on the Reveos system, a cutting-edge blood processing technology, in collaboration with Ashley Engen from Impact Life. This session, sponsored by Terumo, demonstrated how innovative tools such as Reveos are enhancing the efficiency and precision of blood processing. This session underscored Hoxworth’s role in driving forward new technologies to improve blood collection and processing.

The Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB) is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing transfusion medicine and biotherapies worldwide. AABB sets the standards for blood banks, transfusion services and biotherapies, ensuring safety and quality in these critical areas of health care. AABB's Annual Meeting is one of the largest gatherings in the blood and biotherapies industry, providing a platform for sharing the latest research, innovations and best practices.

AABB’s work extends beyond blood donation and transfusion. The organization plays a crucial role in the development of biotherapies, including cellular therapies like stem cell and tissue engineering, which are rapidly growing fields. AABB promotes education and research to improve patient outcomes and support the future of biotherapies in health care.

Hoxworth Blood Center’s participation in the 2024 AABB Annual Meeting solidifies its position as a leader in the blood and biotherapies industry. From groundbreaking studies on alloimmunization to advancements in process management and education on transfusion medicine, Hoxworth continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in patient care and innovation. The contributions not only reflect the organization’s dedication to excellence but also its commitment to improving outcomes for patients in need of blood and biotherapies. As Hoxworth looks ahead, its work at the AABB conference will continue to influence practices and set new standards in the field.