Aniara recently announced the recipient of the 2009 Coagulation/Hemostasis Technologist Award for Excellence.  Marilyn Johnston, from NASCOLA member laboratory,  Hemostasis Reference Laboratory in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, is the winner of this generous award.  She was nominated in 3 separate letters from peers and was ultimately chosen by the CHTAE selection committee. 

In addition to being recognized nationally and internationally for her contributions to the field of hemostasis, the committee was most impressed with her work in mentoring others.  Quotes from the nomination letters include:

“Marilyn has acted as mentor for a number of technologists and research fellows and continues to share her knowledge and expertise in the area of hemostasis and thrombosis. “

 “Marilyn encouraged her team to take the extra time and use the technology needed to dissect complex cases. She would bring in new technology when needed, adapt old technology if applicable and make up new technology if none existed. Many of the technologists working for Marilyn were inspired to achieve advanced certification by her mentorship.”

“Marilyn exemplified true entrepreneurial leadership in the creation and development of a unique hemostasis specialty testing laboratory for the purpose of aiding young medical researchers and laboratorians in the development of their career interest especially in the area of anticoagulation testing which continues to enhance the knowledge and understanding of hemostasis. Her contributions to the education of technologists, medical students and residents in the area of hemostasis are significant as exemplified by the numerous journal publications, scientific reviews, book chapters and speaking engagements.”

Our congratulations to Marilyn for a much-deserved award and recognition.  Thank you to Aniara (an Associate NASCOLA Member) for initiating and continuing to support this wonderful award. 

NASCOLA members, Kristi Smock and George Rodgers, have published a “Test of the Month” feature in the American Journal of Hematology on lupus anticoagulant testing.  The abstract is below, along with a link to the full article for NASCOLA members who are subscribers to the Wiley InterScience publications site:

Laboratory identification of lupus anticoagulants.

Lupus anticoagulants (LA) are acquired autoantibodies that can cause antiphospholipid syndrome. LAs prolong phospholipid-dependent coagulation tests, acting as nonspecific inhibitors that are neutralized in the presence of excess phospholipid. However, there is no gold standard test and the testing is influenced by a number of variables. This article summarizes laboratory testing for LAs, with particular focus on technical issues and limitations of testing.

Am J Hematol. 2009 Jul;84(7):440-2.

NASCOLA members, Ellinor Peerschke, Donna Castellone, Marlies Ledford-Kraemer, and Elizabeth Van Cott, along with Piet Meijer from ECAT, have published an analysis of factor VIII inhibitors as assessed by NASCOLA proficiency testing.  The abstract is below, along with a link to the full article for NASCOLA members who are subscribers to Am J Clin Pathol:

Laboratory assessment of factor VIII inhibitor titer: the North American Specialized Coagulation Laboratory Association experience.

Quantification of inhibitory antibodies against infused factor VIII (FVIII) has an important role in the management of patients with hemophilia A. This article summarizes results from the largest North American FVIII inhibitor proficiency testing challenge conducted to date. Test samples, 4 negative and 4 positive (1-3 Bethesda units [BU]/mL), were distributed by the ECAT Foundation in conjunction with the North American Specialized Coagulation Laboratory Association and analyzed by 38 to 42 laboratories in 2006 and 2007. Whereas laboratories were able to distinguish between the absence and presence of low-titer FVIII inhibitors, the intralaboratory coefficient of variation was high (30%-42%) for inhibitor-positive samples, and the definition of lower detection limits of the assay was variable (0-1 BU/mL). Most laboratories performed the Bethesda assay with commercially supplied buffered normal pooled plasma in a 1:1 mix with patient plasma. These data provide information for the development of consensus guidelines to improve FVIII inhibitor quantification.

Am J Clin Pathol. 2009 Apr;131(4):552-8.

NASCOLA members, Madeleine Verhovsek, Karen A. Moffat, and Catherine P.M. Hayward contributed the the "Test of the Month" feature in the American Journal of Hematology.  Following is the abstract of the publication and a link to the full text for those NASCOLA members who are subscribers to the Wiley InterScience publications site.

Laboratory testing for fibrinogen abnormalities

Fibrinogen is essential for the formation of a fibrin clot. Acquired and congenital disorders of fibrinogenmay result in decreased concentration or altered function of fibrinogen, often leading to an increased risk of bleeding. Routine coagulation testing and specialized laboratory investigations can guide diagnosis in patients suspected of having a fibrinogen abnormality. This article summarizes the types of laboratory assays that are used to assess fibrinogen disorders, and key abnormalities found in different types of fibrinogen disorders. Am. J. Hematol. 83:928–931, 2008. VVC 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The link to the full text for subscribers: 

In accordance with the open access policies of the journal Thrombosis and Hemostasis, and with the permission of the publishers and authors, a PDF version of a publication can be posted to a website.  As such, we are pleased to offer the latest publication from NASCOLA members.  The original article, entitled, "Are laboratories following published recommendations for lupus anticoagulant testing? An international evaluation of practice" is published in: Thrombosis and Haemostasis 2009;101(1):178-184. The original article can be accessed on-line at: www.schattauer.de

Are laboratories following published recommendations for lupus anticoagulant testing? An international evaluation of practice

Every year, the Aniara Coagulation Hemostasis Technologist Award of Excellence (CHTAE) Committee recognizes a special coagulation technologist in North America.  The recipient is chosen by a volunteer committee of peers (technologists from the United States and Canada) from a pool of nominations received from the hemostasis community.

Ms. Kelly Townsend, from TriCore Reference Labs in Albuquerque, NM, USA, has been selected as the recipient of the Aniara-sponsored 2008 CHTAE award.

Kelly’s medical director and nominator, Dr. Kendall Crookston, MD, PhD, summarized Kelly’s wide range of responsibilities.  She is responsible for the operation of a large special coagulation laboratory in New Mexico and serves as a consultant for seventeen off-site affiliated hospitals and laboratories.  Dr. Crookston wrote that Kelly has “remarkable insight into quality issues, compliance, and meeting the needs of both physicians and patients.”  Kelly is also a volunteer faculty member at the University of New Mexico Department of Pathology and the Transfusion Medicine Fellowship Training program.

Kelly demonstrates the attributes that personify an excellent coagulation and hemostasis technologist.  The selection committee agreed that Kelly’s approachable nature and empathy, her knowledge base, as well as her commitment to provide excellent patient care and quality laboratory medicine, has lead her to become an essential team member for the provision of health care in New Mexico.  The 2008 CHTAE award is a tribute to Kelly’s strong leadership abilities and her contributions to the education of technologists, medical students, and residents in the area of hemostasis.

Congratulations Kelly!

• Education Working Group - Jim Zehnder
• Membership Working Group - Betsy Van Cott
• Proficiency Testing/External Quality Assessment Group - Ellinor Peerschke
• Website Working Group - Cathy Hayward
• Result Reporting Working Group - Dot Adcock
• Trainee Membership Working Group - Menaka Pai
• Executive Secretary - Beth Plumhoff
  

Associate members are welcome to contact Beth Plumhoff, our Associate Member Liason, to share their ideas on NASCOLA activities.

The NASCOLA Executive welcomes your communication.

The PT/EQA committee has several opportunities for trainee involvement in the analysis of NASCOLA data for the following analytes leading to potential publication.

APCR

Please contact Dr. Elizabeth VanCott, Massachusetts General Hospital

Email: evancott@partners.org

D-Dimer

Please contact Dr. Menaka Pai, Fellowship Program in Adult Hematology,McMaster University 

Email:  mpai@mcmaster.ca

Platelet Function Subcommittee

Please contact Dr Catherine Hayward, McMaster University

Email: haywrdc@mcmaster.ca