AM24-MN-21-O: Paradigm Changes in Transfusion Medicine – Disaster Preparedness (Enduring)

In the realm of transfusion medicine, the landscape is continually evolving, particularly in the face of natural disasters, mass casualties, and other emergencies. The session will dive into the critical importance of preparedness and adaptation in ensuring the effective management of blood resources during crises. Through a comprehensive exploration of topics, participants will gain invaluable insights into the strategies, challenges, and practices associated with disaster preparedness from a blood center perspective. This educational session will commence with an overview of disaster preparedness, highlighting the essential components of effective planning and resource allocation. Participants will then be introduced to a couple of Program, including its organizational structure and activation protocol, providing a firsthand understanding of how organizations are mobilized in emergency situations. Subsequently, attendees will explore the complexities of blood administration in the prehospital setting, examining the unique challenges faced and the strategies employed to optimize patient care. Through an exploration of various blood products utilized in emergencies, including low titer O whole blood, group O red blood cells, thawed plasma and cold storage platelets, participants will be reminded of their indications, benefits, and limitations in different scenarios. This session will also outline blood products on the horizon that may be utilized in a disaster response. Moreover, the session will discuss the emergency whole blood collection, from donor recruitment to collection. At the conclusion of this session, attendees will have an overview of disaster preparedness from the various perspectives, empowering them to contribute effectively to emergency response efforts in their region and ultimately enhance patient outcomes in times of crisis.