Stories

Blood transfusion is the most common procedure performed in hospitals in the U.S. Yet published evidence shows significant gaps in clinicians' knowledge of this critical aspect of patient care, including possible adverse reactions that can occur after blood transfusion. James Stubbs, M.D.; Daryl Kor, M.D.; and Justin Kreuter, M.D., offer five steps for improving the safety and efficacy of the transfusion-medicine practice.

Laboratories face increasing pressure to automate their operations as they are challenged by a continuing increase in workload, a need to reduce expenditure, and a demand for accuracy and improved turnaround time—essentially doing more with less. Mayo Medical Laboratories implemented a sort automation system to ensure continuous testing operations while improving turnaround time, decreasing laboratory errors, and increasing accuracy and throughput.

Greg Widseth was suddenly hit by a rare disease that prompted his immune system to attack his brain cells, resulting in as many as 60 seizures a day. Special blood and spinal fluid tests developed by Mayo Medical Laboratories confirmed that Widseth had antibodies known to target certain brain cells.

Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection is among the most common bacterial infections worldwide with approximately one-half of the world’s population infected. Several invasive and noninvasive testing methods are available to detect H pylori infection.