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Educational Session

Transfusion Service

Reducing O Negative RBC Overutilization in Pediatric Transfusion Medicine: Overcoming Challenges

AM25-ST-04-L - Reducing O Negative RBC Overutilization in Pediatric Transfusion Medicine:Overcoming Challenges

Saturday, October 25, 2025
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM  PT
Location: 33

    Program Chair(s)

  • Emily Coberly, MD

    Divisional Chief Medical Officer
    American Red Cross
    Maryland Heights,, Missouri

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

    • Speaker(s)

  • Nathan McLamb, MD

    Assistant Professor
    Washington University Medical School in St. Louis
    St. Louis, Missouri

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

  • Amy Gabbard, MD, MPH (she/her/hers)

    IUH AHC Blood Bank Medical Director Assistant Professor of Pathology, Transfusion Medicine
    IU Health
    Indianapolis, Indiana

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Session Description: O negative red blood cells are in chronic short supply, and the O negative donor population in the U.S. is expected to further decline as the population becomes more diverse. Hospital distributions of O negative RBCs have been steadily increasing over the past decade, with pediatric hospitals tending to have higher O neg distribution rates compared to other hospital types. Pediatric hospitals encounter different challenges when working to reduce over-reliance on O negative red blood cells. In this session, we will explore ways that two different Pediatric Hospitals have safely reduced their O negative utilization rates. This will include discussion of screening of type specific units for sickle cell patients, increasing use of type specific units in the ICU, reducing O neg overutilization and wastage associated with remote refrigerators, and other strategies.

Learning Objectives:

  • Summarize national trends in supply and hospital utilization of O negative red blood cells, including pediatric hospitals
  • Review best practices for providing type specific antigen negative units for pediatric patients with sickle cell disease
  • Discuss strategies pediatric hospitals can use to provide type specific products for urgent or emergency transfusions in ICU patients