![QuidelOrtho Science BYTES Podcast](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/9016753/qo_science_bytes_cover_art_3000x3000_y7e3j7.jpg)
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Today’s healthcare marketplace is more complex than ever. Labs today are faced with increasing regulatory and quality demands coupled with a shortage of skilled labor. QuidelOrtho is committed to helping labs meet these challenges head-on. Join us every month as we discuss the complex questions labs are facing every day.
Episodes
![Role of the Donation Screening Lab](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog9016753/podbean-thumb-podcast20_300x300.jpg)
Wednesday Jan 19, 2022
Role of the Donation Screening Lab
Wednesday Jan 19, 2022
Wednesday Jan 19, 2022
The need for a sufficient supply of safe blood is constant and globally there is an ongoing need for effective blood programs as they are critical to support patient management. The role of the donor/donation screening lab is fundamental to the protection and maintenance of the donor inventory and supply since it performs the screening of donors prior to collection of a donation to determine if the donor is ‘suitable’ to be able to donate on that occasion with the end goal of providing safe blood products for transfusion.
Any donation screening laboratory would want to provide the most consistent, accurate, and reliable results possible.
Learn in this episode how an effective donation screening program can provide the basis to ensure the collection of donations only from those donors considered suitable to donate, and then deliver safe, high-quality blood and components which minimize risks to recipients.
About our Speaker:
Dr. Alan Kitchen has been an independent consultant in blood safety and infectious disease screening since leaving the English blood service (National Health Service Blood and Transplant - NHSBT) in 2017. Initially trained in Transfusion Science, holds a Ph.D. in Virology from the Academic Department of Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, University of London, UK. Had worked in the English blood service for 40 years, over 30 of which were spent working directly in the field of Transfusion Microbiology. Prior to leaving NHSBT was a Consultant Clinical Scientist and Head of the NHSBT National Transfusion Microbiology Reference Laboratory. Previously Head of Microbiology at the North East Thames Regional Transfusion Centre, running both an operational screening laboratory and a small research program. Currently, Secretary of the UK Standing Advisory Committee for Transfusion Transmitted Infections, a long-standing member of the WHO Expert Advisory Panel for Transfusion Medicine, and a member of the newly formed WHO Blood Regulatory, Availability and Safety Advisory Group.
![Ensure safety with a Quality Certificate Program](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog9016753/podbean-thumb-podcast19_300x300.jpg)
Wednesday Dec 15, 2021
Ensure safety with a Quality Certificate Program
Wednesday Dec 15, 2021
Wednesday Dec 15, 2021
Donor and product safety has improved significantly over the last decade as a consequence of the introduction of measures such as evidence-based blood donor selection criteria. In parallel, the implementation of quality assurance programs based on good manufacturing practices has also played a key role in improving the safety and quality of blood and blood components.
The main objective of a quality program within the blood bank and transfusion service is to minimize risk to safety and quality by ensuring that the lab’s processes will reliably deliver safe blood and blood components. In many countries, implementation of a quality certificate program has become a regulatory or government requirement; however, an effective program not only forms the basis for safety but can also deliver benefits to the Blood Service beyond meeting compliance.
Learn in this episode from AABB consulting services how commitment to safety and quality is available with the new AABB Quality Certificate Program – Based on AABB’s Fundamental Standards for Blood Collection and Transfusion, the Certificate is an internationally recognized distinction, acknowledging your facility’s commitment to a culture of quality and excellence.
About our Speaker:
Christine Bales is the AABB Vice President of the Consulting and Global Services and serves as a technical expert in Quality Management Systems for Blood Centers and Transfusion Services. Christine designs implementation models to be used as roadmaps for Blood Donor Centers and Transfusion Services’ facility accreditation processes and quality system improvements. She has experience as an assessor for AABB and a CAP inspector.
Christine has over 20 years of management experience in clinical laboratories, blood donor centers, and hospital-based transfusion services. During Christine’s years as CEO and senior management, she led organizations through strategic planning, process improvement activities, and facility accreditation processes. Christine holds a Certificate in Organizational Leadership from Harvard University, a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Purdue University, and certifications in Medical Technology and Immunology from ASCP. She is a member of the AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies) ASCP (American Society of Clinical Pathology), ASQ (American Society for Quality), and CLSI (Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute).
![The Role of the Lab in the Prevention and Management of Diabetes: A Physician’s Perspective](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog9016753/podbean-thumb-podcast18_300x300.jpg)
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
Diabetes is a global health threat diabetes with the number of people living with diabetes continuing to rise. Diagnostic testing is one of the major tools to help prevent and manage the disease. In this podcast episode, we will have a conversation with Dr. Ivan Salgo, Head of Medical, Clinical, and Scientific Affairs at Ortho Clinical Diagnostics about the role laboratory testing plays in the prevention and management of diabetes.
About our Speaker:
Dr. Ivan Salgo is the VP of Medical, Clinical, and Scientific Affairs at Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, where he leads teams focused on multiple care areas such as infectious disease, acute care, cardiology, and endocrinology. Dr. Salgo received his M.D. degree with Distinction in Research from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. He did his residency and fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology where he later joined the faculty. Dr. Salgo’s past research includes the use of Healthcare Analytics to assess patient deterioration using multiple digital biomarkers.
![Key learnings from COVID-19 for the Labs with Dr. Arturo Casadevall](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog9016753/podbean-thumb-podcast17_300x300.jpg)
Wednesday Oct 20, 2021
Key learnings from COVID-19 for the Labs with Dr. Arturo Casadevall
Wednesday Oct 20, 2021
Wednesday Oct 20, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has been already in our lives since late 2019 and the variants surge is rapidly increasing. Is there anything we can learn from the experience? Fast forward to the fall of 2021, what are the recommendations for Hospitals and Laboratories around the world for the current pandemic and future spread of diseases? In this podcast episode, we will have a conversation with Dr. Arturo Casadevall an infectious disease specialist and Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University about learnings from this pandemic, vaccines, variants, and how antibody testing can play a key role.
About our Speaker:
Dr. Arturo Casadevall is a professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He holds a joint appointment in molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. His research focuses on how microbes cause disease and how the immune system defends itself. Dr. Casadevall serves as chair of the W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He received his M.S., Ph.D., and M.D. from New York University. His team is currently engaged in understanding how hosts defend against the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. Dr. Casadevall’s work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the American Society for Microbiology Founders Distinguished Service Award, the National Institutes of Health Merit Award, and the Rhoda Benham Award from the Medical Mycology Society of America. He was elected to the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
![Automation is Possible for All Laboratories](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog9016753/podcast16r-podbean-thumb_300x300.jpg)
Thursday Sep 30, 2021
Automation is Possible for All Laboratories
Thursday Sep 30, 2021
Thursday Sep 30, 2021
Description:
With increasing compliance requirements and resource challenges around the world, there is a growing need for the integration of digital platforms to reduce errors, reduce the need for double checks/signoffs, and provide greater process efficiency. There is a need for laboratories to implement workflow tools that automate processes and test rules to improve efficiency. Join our speaker in learning how in an evolving health care industry automation is possible for the laboratory's goals.
About our Speaker:
Aaron W. Hurst MLT(ASCP) is the Laboratory Supervisor of Quality Systems of the Newton Medical Center in Kansas. His responsibilities include supervisory roles as the second shift supervisor, blood bank supervisor, and chemistry laboratory supervisor. He still retains these last 2 responsibilities along with the quality systems management role. Aaron has devoted his medical technologist career to help evolve the Newton Hospital laboratory with activities focused on improved efficiency, applied lean management, and enhanced patient safety. Aaron has been a contributor speaker in National and International forums. He has been recognized by the American Red Cross, Wichita, for “maximizing efficiencies.” and recently by the Medical Laboratory Observer for Automation in Action in the blood bank.
![How to manage Partial D in donors and patients](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog9016753/podbean-thumb-podcast15_300x300.jpg)
Wednesday Aug 18, 2021
How to manage Partial D in donors and patients
Wednesday Aug 18, 2021
Wednesday Aug 18, 2021
After the success of our April episode, “Your Lab Journey With the Rh System and Weak D,” we continue the topic. Tune in for a conversation about partial D, the differences, types, and implications it has on transfusion.
Sue Johnson serves as director of Versiti’s Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) program. Her experience includes: Director and Adjunct Associate Professor at Marquette University Graduate School, Transfusion Medicine Program. Clinical Associate Professor at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, College of Health Sciences. Associate Director of Indian Immunohematology Initiative. Sue has authored numerous publications in the field of transfusion medicine and immunohematology and is an established lecturer on the topic of immunohematology. She currently chairs the AABB publications committee. Sue has taken an active role in the education of medical laboratory science students for more than 20 years and her knowledge in the Rh blood group system is globally renown.
![Are Process Excellence and Lean the same thing?](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog9016753/podbean-thumb-podcast14_300x300.jpg)
Thursday Jul 22, 2021
Are Process Excellence and Lean the same thing?
Thursday Jul 22, 2021
Thursday Jul 22, 2021
Process Excellence is a proven way to cut costs, raise productivity, and improve service levels. PEx® combines the tools and methodologies of:
- Six Sigma—measuring and reducing your error and defect rate
- Lean Thinking—eliminating waste to speed your workflow and deliver better value.
- Design Excellence—structuring a process from the outset so that it flows efficiently with minimal opportunities for waste or error
This podcast will provide the tools to understand the benefit of Process Excellence in your Lab to achieve goals regarding efficiency and performance.
About our Speaker:
Dr. Alistair Gammie holds a Diploma from the Royal College of Pathologists. He worked for 22 years in the UK National Health Service. In 2016 he joined Ortho Clinical Diagnostics as Senior Global Director ValuMetrix. He is Lean Healthcare accredited. Dr. Gammie has been involved with Laboratory Consulting Services for over 20 years looking at workflow, simulation, modeling, Lean 6 Sigma projects, laboratory design, automation, and re-organization. He has looked at the workflow in Laboratories throughout Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, the USA, and South America. He has been involved with Continuous Improvement and Top+ Business Excellence which places a high priority on ‘green’ and sustainability. Dr. Gammie is an EFQM European awards assessor as he has observed the use of the EFQM model in multiple sectors.
![Overcoming the Challenges of Blood and Plasma Supply with Dr. Pampee Young](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog9016753/podbean-thumb-podcast13_300x300.jpg)
Monday Jun 14, 2021
Overcoming the Challenges of Blood and Plasma Supply with Dr. Pampee Young
Monday Jun 14, 2021
Monday Jun 14, 2021
Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets, or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation. 1 blood donation can potentially save 3 lives and now the conversation is towards convalescent plasma donations as a promising therapy for COVID-19, the journey to support during critical times starts with the donor qualification.
In this episode, Dr. Pampee Young will provide background on the needs and challenges of blood banks and donor centers for blood and plasma supply and practices sharing plans to overcome them.
About our Speaker:
Dr. Pampee Young. Dr. Young is the Chief Medical Officer of the American Red Cross. In 2018 Dr. Young was a professor of Pathology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she served as the Medical Director of Transfusion Medicine. Dr. Young has over 80 peer-reviewed publications. Her research interests at Vanderbilt were in the field of regenerative medicine using stem cell-based cell therapy and small molecular therapeutics. And currently Dr. Young’s efforts are in research on blood center innovation, product availability and safety.
![Key facts about antibody titers in transfusion medicine that you can’t miss!](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog9016753/podbean-thumb-podcast12_300x300.jpg)
Wednesday May 19, 2021
Key facts about antibody titers in transfusion medicine that you can’t miss!
Wednesday May 19, 2021
Wednesday May 19, 2021
Description: During this episode, Dr. Claudia Cohn will provide background on the role of antibody titers for diagnosis and monitoring performed in the transfusion medicine lab and its clinical applications.
About our Speaker:
Dr. Claudia S. Cohn is the medical director of the blood bank laboratory and associate medical director of the HLA laboratory at the University of Minnesota. She earned her Ph.D. in Immunology and Infectious Diseases from the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins, working on the molecular biology and biochemistry of the protozoal; parasite Leishmania donovani. She went on to earn her medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA. After medical school, she finished a residency program in Pathology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill-Cornell College of Medicine, and a fellowship in Transfusion Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. In her current role at the University of Minnesota, she practices Clinical Pathology, oversees the blood bank, and teaches medical students. Dr. Cohn’s research interests include platelet transfusions, alternative platelet storage solutions, HLA antibodies, and their role in solid organ transplants and platelet refractoriness. She focuses her efforts in two areas: patient blood management and platelet storage and utilization. Dr. Cohn was named in 2020 chief medical officer (CMO) for the AABB organization where she works to strategize and implement ways that achieve AABB’s mission through the development of policies and by engaging the communities it serves.
![Your Lab Journey with the Rh System and Weak D](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog9016753/podbean-thumb-podcast11_5kn2db_300x300.jpg)
Wednesday Apr 14, 2021
Your Lab Journey with the Rh System and Weak D
Wednesday Apr 14, 2021
Wednesday Apr 14, 2021
Description: Discover the marvelous world of Rh D system’s complexity and why weak D is clinically relevant with Tony Casina.
About our Speaker: Tony S. Casina, MT(ASCP)SBB has worked in the blood banking industry for over 40 years with much of it in the commercial blood bank reagent manufacturers sector with hospital experience as a medical technologist and blood bank manager. Tony has provided technical support to laboratories throughout the world utilizing Ortho’s reagents and immunohematology test systems. He has tested some of the most challenging antibody problems as part of his reference laboratory experience. Tony has been an active participant in the AABB serving on committees and currently on the AABB Board of Directors. He has contributed as a presenter to AABB and regional blood bank meetings educational programs. He was extensively involved in the development of the ORTHO VISION® Analyzer Platform