Author
Timothy Carll, MD
Department of Pathology
The University of Chicago Medicine
Chicago, Illinois
Primary Audience: Pathologists and Clinical Scientists
Secondary Audience: Residents, Laboratory Technologist/Scientist (Includes all sub-specialty areas), Students, Pathologist Assistants, Laboratory Directors and Educators
Upon completion of this activity, you will be able to:
· Describe the role of pathogen reduction technologies (PRTs) in reducing the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections, both due to endogenous organisms such as HIV and HCV, as well as exogenous organisms such as bacterial contaminants;
· Review the general mechanisms of multiple PRTs and understand the physical effect they exert on transfusible blood products, including implications for the transfused patient;
· Identify the PRTs currently (or imminently) available in the United States, and recognize the strength and weaknesses conferred by each; and
· Recognize the residual risk of transfusion-transmitted infections even following PRT as well as the importance of surveillance and reporting of such infections.