The ISBT (International Society of Blood Transfusion) is an international community of professionals sharing knowledge to enhance transfusion practice. A variety of professionals within the field of transfusion medicine such as blood services, hospitals, research institutes, universities or industry are represented.
One of the main activities of ISBT is organizing regional and international congresses with invited speakers presenting state of the art topics related to everything from recruitment of blood donors and the actual donation process to adverse transfusion events and cellular therapies. In addition, the congresses provides excellent networking opportunities between professionals and the industry.
Recently in June 17-21, the 27th Regional Congress of ISBT was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. The conference, which was organized in collaboration with Danish specialists within the field, was attended by roughly 2,100 delegates from 54 countries and over 85 exhibitors. The overall Scientific Program was of a high standard and the key presentations of interest included “Challenges of terrorism and catastrophies, too much or too little blood” based on lessons learned from Brussels, Paris and Nice, “Patient Blood Management” and making transfusion decisions in critical care as well as “Donor Psychology” and emotional factors affecting voluntary blood donations.
The main focus for HemoCue was related to benefits of a true hemoglobin value, for blood banks, but also for blood donors and how an accurate hemoglobin value can help decrease deferral rates while at the same time protecting donors. During the poster session, Dr. Rajesh B. Sawant, Head of the Transfusion Medicine at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Centre in Mumbai, presented his poster “Evaluation of A Policy For Retesting the Deferred Donors Hemoglobin”, which further elaborated on this theme.
