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There is a lack of validated tools to assess potential disease progression and hospitalisation decisions in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a suspected infection. The aim to identify suitable blood biomarkers (MR-proADM, PCT, lactate and CRP) and/ or clinical scores (SIRS, SOFA, qSOFA, NEWS and CRB-65) to fulfil this unmet clinical need and recognising the “ill looking well” and the “well looking ill”. We found in patients presenting to the ED with a suspected infection, the blood biomarker MR-proADM could most accurately identify the likelihood of further disease progression.

Incorporation into an early sepsis management protocol may therefore aid rapid decision-making in order to either initiate, escalate or intensify early treatment strategies, or identify patients suitable for safe out-patient treatment. There is currently a randomised controlled trial to assess the accuracy of the above findings.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) Patient Blood Management (PBM) team, with the support of the London Regional Transfusion Committee, created a remote, no-cost education group for biomedical scientists aimed at providing ongoing professional development for transfusion laboratory professionals. The popularity of the group led to the continuation of the group beyond the pandemic and membership being opened to all healthcare professionals interested in blood transfusion.

The group convenes monthly and invites professional/industry experts to deliver lectures on specialist areas of blood transfusion, followed by discussion. The curriculum is flexible and responsive to feedback, incorporating key recommendations, such as those found in the annual SHOT report. The group has covered a wide range of topics, including antibody identification, appropriate use of blood components, haemoglobinopathies, advances in information technology, inventory management, gender reassignment, provision of rare blood, transfusion delays, and emergency preparedness, among others.

Over 2800 healthcare professionals worldwide have joined the group, with an average attendance of 165 individuals per meeting. Survey results from 1390 delegates between April 2022 and April 2023 demonstrated high evaluation of the education provided during the sessions, with an average rating of 4.72 out of 5 for information quality and 4.58 out of 5 for information relevance to their day-to-day work. Furthermore, 99.1% of all respondents believed that the education enabled them to offer a better service to patients and service users.

The NHSBT PBM team's remote and accessible model has been successful in providing ongoing education and continuing professional development for blood transfusion professionals beyond the pandemic. This cost-effective model has become a regular feature in hospital transfusion continuing professional development, enhancing individual and service performance, and could be a valuable consideration for other healthcare disciplines.

The lecture will include a basic introduction to a busy mixed urban and rural Helicopter Emergency Medical Service in the East of England and the logistics of carrying and administering blood products to multiply injured, major trauma patients. The types of patients that typically require a transfusion will be presented and we will hear from patients that have since recovered and how they feel about having received a prehospital transfusion.

Competences for Managers

Crossroads to a Compatible Career: From Pipette to Patient Blood Management

Delivery of a virtual ward in East Kent: A clinical overview

ISO15189:2022 has undergone a major revision and was release in December 2022. David was one of the core drafting team responsible for the latest version and will discuss how the document was developed and agreed by the international community, why the changes were made and the purpose of the new standard.

Areas covered in this lecture will include the change in the format of the standard, why Point of Care testing is now part of the main assessment, if applicable and the increased empathies on risk and patient welfare.ISO15189 was revised and released in December.

This presentation will give delegates a:

Real world evaluation of a syndromic panel compared to traditional Gram stain and culture
The presentation will cover:

An outline of the trial
A summary of findings
The local experience of the process
Brief local case studies that show how the multiplex PCR panel results could have positively affected patient management.

As the climate health crisis continues to escalate, governments and key NHS leaders are recognising the need for change. There is growing sector awareness of the impact of the lab on the environment and it is now time for laboratory medicine to consider the role POCT can play in achieving NHS net zero carbon targets. Centres for Sustainable Healthcare propose four principles for sustainable healthcare: prevention, patient self-care, lean service delivery and low carbon alternatives.

This presentation considers the role GIRFT and POCT can have, in supporting these principles of sustainable healthcare and promoting greener diagnostic pathways.

Emerging Issues in Medical Mycology