October, 2021 Quick Question: Blue-top Tube Shortage

Our October 2021 Quick Question asked, “How are you managing the blue-top tube shortage?” We had a brisk response with 22 participants answering as follows: We have seen no shortage: 32% [7] Purchase control plasmas: 0% Alternate tube source: 41% [9] Prep our own tubes: 9% [2] Reduce coag orders. 18% [4] Although a third […]

Comments (0)

Quick Question Archive

Oct 24 2021

george

Hemostasis in Selected Populations

In Keohane EM, Otto CN, Walenga JM: Rodak’s Hematology; Clinical Principles and Applications, Sixth Edition, 2020, Dr. Linda Goossen provides a timely and clinically significant chapter, “Hematology and Hemostasis in the Pediatric, Geriatric, and Pregnant Populations.’ Owing to next-generation sequencing, the In-Vitro Diagnostics world continues to partition reference intervals, therapeutic target ranges, and treatments to […]

Validation

Isolated Chronically Elevated D-dimer: Reprise

Fritsma Factor continues to receive questions from individuals who report continuing elevated D-dimer concentration reports in the absence of thrombotic disease. I refer us to my recent post, Isolated Chronically Elevated D-dimer, which provides the explanations for this finding.

Fibrinolysis

Primary CVD Disease: Is Low Dose ASA Effective?

Thanks to Dean Willett, Precision BioLogic Inc, for pointing me to this October 12, 2021 US Preventive Services Task Force release, “Aspirin Use to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease: Preventive Medication,” which recommends against daily low-dose aspirin as a means to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, ischemic stroke, and colorectal cancer regardless of age or comorbities. […]

Antiplatelet Therapy

World Thrombosis Day 10-13-21

In case you missed it, click here for a review of yesterday’s World Thrombosis Day [WTD] activities and materials. “Venous thromboembolism [VTE] is a condition in which a blood clot forms, most often in the deep veins of the leg, groin or arm [deep vein thrombosis, DVT] and travels in the circulation, lodging in the […]

Thrombophilia

IMSS Handouts 10-3-21

George has attached updated handouts for our Intermountain States Seminar 10-3-21 presentations. Click below to download. Looking forward to the day! TTP and the TMAs in One-per-Page Format TTP and the TMAs in Six-per-Page Format Hematology Specimen Management in One-per-Page Format Hematology Specimen Management in Six-per-Page Format

Events

September 2021 Quick Question: TEG

Our September 2021 Quick Question attracted only 14 responses, perhaps reflecting the minimal communication between the central laboratory and the anesthesiology service in most operating rooms. Our question was “What is the favorite near-patient viscoelastic test of US anesthesiologists?” Here are your answers: Rotational thromboelastometry [ROTEM]: 14% [2] Resonance sonorheometry [Quantra]: 7% [1] Activated clotting […]

Comments (2)

Global Hemostasis Assays

Sep 23 2021

george

Blood Collection Tube Shortages

In a follow-up to our June 2021 posts describing blue-closure [3.2% sodium citrate] tube shortage, it appears from several anecdotes that while the industry is slowly catching up to blue-closure tube demands, there remain shortages in green-closure [heparin] and other tubes. Meanwhile, we alert worldwide facilities to the availability of tubes through online suppliers of […]

Specimen Management

McMaster Update in Thromboembolism

The McMaster University Continuing Professional Development Office is pleased to present the virtual Seventeenth Annual McMaster Update in Thromboembolism, Friday, October 1, 2021. Thank you to Elaine Benoit, Precision BioLogic, for the heads-up.

Thrombophilia

Coag Specimens, Delayed Analysis, Centrifugation

From a colleague: Hi George, I was having a discussion with a colleague regarding the proper or best way to handle a coagulation sample if the processing was going to be delayed [~4 hrs]. Your name popped up, so hence my email: Option 1: the sample is spun when received and then analyzed later. Our […]

Comments (0)

Specimen Management

All Posts

October, 2021 Quick Question: Blue-top Tube Shortage

Hemostasis in Selected Populations

Isolated Chronically Elevated D-dimer: Reprise

Primary CVD Disease: Is Low Dose ASA Effective?

World Thrombosis Day 10-13-21

IMSS Handouts 10-3-21

September 2021 Quick Question: TEG

Blood Collection Tube Shortages

McMaster Update in Thromboembolism

Coag Specimens, Delayed Analysis, Centrifugation

George Fritsma MS MLS

Cheat Sheets from George

Questions or Comments?

Quick Question