25 February 2017 (Saturday) - Struck Off

I read this article with interest. Another biomedical scientist has been struck off. Having been up before the HCPC myself I feel for anyone who faces one of their hearings. Whilst (on reflection) it was a fair hearing, it was also perhaps one of the more awful experiences of my life. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

This case was interesting though. To quote the newspaper:

“Concerns were raised internally about XXX’s work in July 2014. Under the organisation’s robust disciplinary procedures she was investigated for failure to follow correct process across a number of responsibilities and tasks. These included failure to maintain appropriate training records and stock taking issues…. at no time did XXX’s actions result in patient harm. The internal investigation identified there were sufficient lapses in following correct process that it warranted dismissal and Ms Shah was dismissed from …”

If there was no patient harm, just how important were these procedures she supposedly neglected? Are we losing sight of the bigger picture here?

22 February 2017 (Wednesday) - Transfusion News email

Zika-Positive Blood Donations Can Be Inactivated Using Pathogen Inactivation Technologies

February 15, 2017
Emerging infections, such as the Zika virus (ZIKV), continue to surface due to global travel, migration, and the spread of vectors including mosquitoes. The first ZIKV outbreak occurred in 2007 in the Pacific and has quickly spread to most of the Americas. Blood donations have tested positive [Read More]

Transfusion Testing Strategies for Multiple Myeloma Patients Undergoing Anti-CD38 Therapy

February 10, 2017
Anti-CD38 therapies such as daratumumab have increased survival time for patients with multiple myeloma. This novel therapy, however, interferes with blood compatibility testing. Anti-CD38-sensitized red blood cells agglutinate during testing which could mask the presence of alloantibodies or mimic a high-prevalence alloantibody. Several methods are used to provide safe transfusions [Read More]

22 February 2017 (Wednesday) - Myelocytes

This picture appeared in one of the Facebook groups I follow with the caption “I can't identify the two cells in the center (BMA). Plz help.”

I’m of the opinion that they are both myelocytes (with a blast off to the top right) but the replies to the post made worrying reading. One chap felt they were atypical lymphocytes. Another said there was a lymphocyte and a monocyte. I wonder if these people review blood films professionally?

20 february 2017 (Monday) - G6PD

Here’s an interesting article about G6PD deficiency; an inherited disorder caused by a genetic defect in the red blood cell (RBC) enzyme G6PD, which generates NADPH and protects RBCs from oxidative injury. G6PD deficiency is the most common enzymatic disorder of RBCs.

The severity of haemolytic anaemia varies among individuals with G6PD deficiency, making diagnosis more challenging in some cases. Identification of G6PD deficiency and patient education regarding safe and unsafe medications and foods is critical to preventing future episodes of haemolysis.

This topic review discusses the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of G6PD deficiency. Separate topic reviews discuss the pathogenesis of G6PD deficiency and an overall approach to the patient with unexplained haemolytic anaemia.

·         Pathophysiology and genetics of G6PD deficiency

·         Diagnostic approach to the child with haemolytic anaemia

·         Diagnostic approach to the adult with haemolytic anaemia