Errors in pathology and laboratory medicine: consequences and prevention.

Reducing errors and improving quality are an integral part of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. The rate of errors is reviewed for the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases for a specimen. The quality systems in place in pathology today are identified and compared with benchmarks for quality.

Twice daily plasma exchange in refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) usually responds to daily single total plasma exchange (TPE) or to plasma infusion. However, some cases are refractory to total plasma exchange, and additional efficacious treatment may not be available. A 34-year-old white male diagnosed with TTP was found to be refractory to single TPE.

Effects of rejuvenation and frozen storage on 42-day-old AS-3 RBCs.

Background: A storage period of 42 days has been approved by the FDA for RBCs stored in NUTRICEL (AS-3). This study was undertaken to provide data to the FDA about the feasibility of salvaging AS-3 RBCs at the end of their storage period by rejuvenation and freezing, and to evaluate the effect of rejuvenation on indicators of RBC function.

Study Design And Methods: Healthy adults (n = 22) donated 450 mL of whole blood, and RBC components were prepared at two study sites.

Serological evidence of endemic waterborne cryptosporidium infections.

Purpose: Cryptosporidium oocysts are commonly detected in surface-derived drinking water, however, the public health significance of these findings is unclear. This study compared the evidence of prior Cryptosporidium infection for people drinking water derived from surface versus ground water sources.

Methods: This study measured serological responses to two Cryptosporidium antigen groups for blood donors from two midwestern United States cities with different drinking water sources: filtered and chlorinated river water receiving agricultural and domestic sewage upstream versus chlorinated water from an underground aquifer.