Subject Description

When viable T-lymphocytes in transfused blood products engraft and multiply in the tissues of a recipient, they can react against the tissues of the recipient; this is called Transfusion-Associated Graft-Versus-Host Disease (TA-GVHD). Irradiation has been the standard to date for reducing the level of contaminating T-Cells to potentially decrease the risk of transfusion TA-GVHD. In addition to irradiation, AABB recognizes that contaminating T-cell activity is also reduced by the psoralen/UVA light treatment method of pathogen reduction, potentially lowering the risk of transfusion-associated graft versus host disease (TA-GVHD). This learning activity will compare these two methodologies for potential reduction of the risk of TA-GVHD.

Learning Objectives

  1. Describe the underlying cause and approaches for addressing Transfusion-Associated Graft-Versus-Host Disease (TA-GVHD)
  2. Discuss the AABB Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services (BBTS) that address approaches for lowering the risk of or preventing TA-GVHD.
  3. Understand the two options authorized by the AABB Standards for prevention of TA-GVHD: irradiation and psoralen/UVA light treatment (pathogen reduction) of platelets.

Level of Instruction

Introductory

Author / Speaker

Karen Giordano, MS, MT (ASCP) SBB

Karen Giordano, MS, MT (ASCP) SBB

Karen Giordano is focused on medical education for clinicians on topics around blood safety, transfusion medicine, and provides support for ongoing clinical trials. Karen has a long career in medical affairs and clinical research in transfusion medicine, hemostasis, coagulation, critical care, trauma and hematology. Her educational background includes an MS in biomedical chemistry from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and a BS in medical technology from Wesley College, as well as licensure as a clinical laboratory scientist and a specialist in blood bank (SBB).

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.: 368-050-21
Contact Hour: 1.0
Expires on: Apr 19, 2023 at 12:00 am CT

Professional Acknowledgment for Continuing Education

Blitz + Associates, Inc. is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider number 15148 for 1.0 contact hours.

CBRN: 105
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

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