Open Access Scholarly Work
Addressing Low Scholarly Output in Residency With a Resident-Led Society for Innovation and Research
In 2021, we founded the Society for Innovation and Research (SIR), a resident-led organization designed to support research and innovation using just one hour of protected didactic time per month, providing mentorship, feedback, and education. Since implementing SIR, we have seen a significant increase in resident research productivity, and we are now exploring expanding the program to other residency programs across the U.S.
How many mislabelled samples go unidentified? Results of a pilot study to determine the occult mislabelled sample rate
In our study, we investigated occult sample mislabeling by determining blood type discrepancies in complete blood count specimens with the same patient label. Out findings suggest that the identified mislabeling rate significantly underestimates the true occurrence, as we observed a much higher actual discrepancy rate, highlighting the need for improved detection methods.
Cost-Effectiveness and Return on Investment Analysis of an In-house HemosIL Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Antibody Assay at a Mid-Sized Institution
We conducted a retrospective analysis to assess the cost-effectiveness of implementing an in-house heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) antibody test compared to send-out assays. Our findings demonstrated significant cost savings, a rapid return on investment, and a substantial reduction in turnaround time, providing a model for other laboratories considering similar transitions.
Use of Low-Dose Platelets in Actively Bleeding Patients: A Retrospective Analysis of a Cardiac Surgery Cohort
We conducted a retrospective review at a single academic hospital to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose platelet transfusions in actively bleeding patients. Our findings suggest that low-dose platelets may be as effective as standard doses in managing bleeding during cardiac surgery, especially during platelet shortages.
Analysis of hospital length of stay and cost savings with an in-house heparin-induced thrombocytopenia antibody assay at a midsized institution
In our study, we evaluated the impact of brining a heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) antibody assay in-house and found that it reduced patient hospital length of stay by an average of 3.97 days, primarily among those with negative results. This change led to an estimated total cost savings of $3.9 million, highlighting the value of laboratory optimization in improving patient care and healthcare costs.
Performance of Total Blood Volume Algorithms in Obesity and Severe Obesity
In this study, we evaluated how commonly used algorithms—like Nadler’s, Gilcher’s, and Lemmens–Bernstein—estimate total blood volume (TBV) in 155 obese individuals. We found discrepancies of up to 500 mL or more, which could translate into differences of 3–4 plasma units during therapeutic apheresis. We argue that it's time to consider adopting commercial TBV measurement methods to improve patient care.
