Subject Description

Safe donated blood is critical to improving certain patient outcomes. Transfusion-transmitted infections (TTI) persist despite interventions used to reduce risk. Bacterial contamination presents the most significant infectious risk, followed by the emergence of new pathogens such as dengue, chikungunya and zika.

While current screening tests have lowered the risks from transfusion transmitted infections, these tests are reactive, requiring identification of specific pathogens for which to develop and implement tests.

This activity will outline how blood safety is changing and methodologies to identify and mitigate the risks associated with blood product transfusions.

Learning Objectives

  1. Recognize the incidence of bacterial contamination of platelets for transfusion
  2. Understand the clinical presentation and consequences of infections from contaminated blood products
  3. Describe approaches for mitigation of bacterial contamination of blood products, especially platelets, for transfusion
  4. Identify the signs and symptoms of a transfusion-transmitted bacterial infection and review follow-up actions

Level of Instruction

Intermediate

Author / Speaker

Kent Carter, BS PharmD

Kent Carter, BS PharmD

Medical Outreach Director
Cerus Corporation

Kent Carter, BS PharmD earned his BS and PharmD at Auburn University and completed residencies at West Virginia University/Charleston Area Medical Center and Hermann Hospital/UT in Houston specializing in Trauma and Critical Care. He served the Senior Clinical Pharmacist at The Methodist Hospital in Houston where he also directed the anticoagulation service. Based on his critical care, surgical and coagulation experience, Kent developed an interest and became extremely knowledgeable in all potential adverse events associated with blood products and the ensuing concerns regarding patient safety. Kent joined the biotechnology industry and further developed his expertise in immunology, cardiopulmonary, hemolytic anemias and clotting factors/hemostasis, and bloodstream and medical device infections. Kent joined Cerus Corporation in 2014 as a key team member at the forefront of professional education regarding new technologies to enhance blood safety directed to medical professionals associated with blood product transfusions.

Additional Information

Cerus Corporation is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program.

P.A.C.E.: 368-049-21
Contact Hour: 1.0
Expires on: Apr 13, 2023 at 11:59 pm CT

Professional Acknowledgment for Continuing Education

This program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP15148 for 1.0 contact hours

CBRN: 101
Contact Hour: 1.0
Expires at: Jun 1, 2023 at 12:00 am CT

California Board of Registered Nursing

Technical Requirements and Assistance

Minimum software requirements:

  • Operating system
    • • Windows XP SP2
    • • Mac OS X 10.9
    • • iOS 7
    • • Android 4
  • Web browser
    • • Internet Explorer 9
    • • Safari 7
    • • Latest version of Chrome or Firefox
  • Browser plug-ins
    • • Learning activities may be encoded as MP4 videos. Your browser must support MP4 playback natively or through the operating system to view these videos.

Minimum hardware requirements:

  • Desktops, laptops
    • • 512MB of RAM
    • • 200MB of hard drive space
    • • Intel x86 processor
  • Mobile devices
    • • Device capable of running iOS 7
    • • Device capable of running Android 4

Minimum connection speed:

  • A broadband connection is required for MP4 learning activities.

Questions or Comments

Please contact support@transfusionsafetyonline.com.