QEII Haematology scientists represent PathWest at B RICE conference

A big shout-out to Rose Anestoudis (Medical Scientist) and Mei Sung (Senior Scientist) from QEII Haematology, who attended the Bio Rad Research Innovation & Collaboration Exchange (B RICE).

The conference is an internal event run by Bio Rad for laboratory users to swap ideas and scientific knowledge. It follows a high-pressure format, with everyone required to give a sharp five-minute talk on a transfusion-related topic.

Rose presented an interesting case study of a difficult antibody identification in an urgent trauma case and Mei showcased the SATO Healthcare Co. Ltd (SATO) trial—a joint project between SATO, WA Country Health Service (WACHS) and PathWest that’s looking to change how we move blood products around the State.

The trial is currently being delivered in Exmouth and Onslow, which are smaller hospitals without a PathWest on-site Laboratory. Blood products dispatched from QEII Transfusion Medicine need to be constantly monitored to make sure they stay at the right temperature. Currently, WACHS nursing staff undertake these temperature checks manually. To make things more efficient, SATO has provided Radio Frequency Identification equipment, temperature probes, and a laptop to automate the process.

The goal is to give the QEII laboratory the ability to monitor temperatures remotely in real-time, making compliance a lot easier but ensuring that if blood units aren’t used, they can be safely rotated back into stock instead of going to waste.

If the trial is successful in Exmouth and Onslow, there is potential for a state-wide rollout to help save fresh blood products across all our regional areas.

Congratulations to Mei on being awarded the prize for the best presentation on the day