2024 HDFN Home Page

Welcome!

The Department of Defense Combat Casualty Care Research Program is sponsoring a meeting organized by the THOR Network that will welcome attendees from the US, Canada, and other countries. This event will present evidence-based guidelines for emergency transfusion in females with childbearing potential with a focus on methods to mitigate and manage the risks of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN).

Join us November 19, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda to hear from experts in the fields of trauma surgery, emergency medicine, anesthesiology, transfusion medicine, obstetrics, maternal fetal medicine, hematology, pathology, neonatology, and pediatrics. The November 20^th program is open to the invited experts panel to vote on the recommendations and will be closed to general public attendees.

Overview

November 19, 2024
Due to the increase in use of Rh(D) positive whole blood nationally in the US for life-threatening bleeding, guidelines are required to inform best practices on the use of this product in Rh(D) negative females with childbearing potential due to the risk of HDFN. On the first day of the conference, draft guidelines will be presented with the opportunity for public comment. There will also be presentations from patient advocates, including women who have required transfusion for bleeding, and from the Allo Hope Foundation, which is a 501(c)3 organization founded to offer resources, education, and support to alloimmunized patients and their providers. Methods for implementation and dissemination of the recommendations developed from this conference will also be discussed.

November 20, 2024
This day will be for the expert panel to vote on the recommendations and will be closed to the public. The expert panel is comprised of over 40 practitioners with direct experience and a publication record in their respective fields. Representation on the expert panel includes leaders from the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB), the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST), the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS CoT), the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), the American Society of Hematology (ASH), the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST), the National Association of EMS Physicians (NEAMSP), and the Department of Defense Combat Casualty Care Research Program and Joint Trauma System.

Each of these entities may endorse the recommendations upon review.

Hotel Accommodations

Hyatt Regency Bethesda
One Bethesda Metro Center
Bethesda, MD 20814

Attendees will need to make their hotel reservations via the link below.

Conference Rate of $193.00 + tax
(available until October 21, 2024)

BOOK HOTEL

About the Hotel: Access the vibrant sights, sounds and tastes of downtown Bethesda, Maryland. Perfectly located atop the Metro station and minutes from downtown D.C, our hotel is the ideal destination for business travelers and vacationers alike. We are only a 10-minute train ride to the Smithsonian's National Zoo (5 stops) and near Great Falls and Rock Creek Park. Walk to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the shops of Bethesda Row.

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Agenda

Day 1: All Attendees
November 19
7:30-7:35am | Welcome: Philip C. Spinella, MD, FCCM and Bethany Weathersby, MEd

7:35-8:00am | A Call to Action Through Real-World Examples: Donald H. Jenkins, MD, FACS and Katie Shanahan, RN, MSN, CPNP

8:00-8:25am | Impact of Hemorrhagic Shock, Equity of Care and Rationale for Low Titer Group O Whole Blood: Philip C. Spinella, MD, FCCM

8:25-8:40am | Blood Donation and Availability of Rh-negative Units: Beth Shaz, MD, MBA

8:40-8:55am | Risk Estimates of HDFN from Transfusion of Rh-positive Products: Mark Yazer, MD

8:55-9:20am | Impact of Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn: Epidemiology, Therapies and Outcomes: Saul Snowise, MD

9:20-9:35am | Panel Discussion: Moderators - Kenneth J. Moise Jr, MD and Sarah J. Ilstrup, MD

9:35-9:50am | Break

9:50-10:05am | Are Women Willing to Accept Future Risk for Immediate Benefits - Survey Results: Molly Sherwood

10:05-10:15am | Why Do People Still Make Anti-D Over 50 Years After the Introductions of RH(D) Immune Globulin: Nancy Dunbar, MD

10:15 - 10:30am | What Does It Take to Change Practice: Andrew P. Cap, MD, PhD, COL U.S. Army, Retired

10:30-10:40am | Panel Discussion: Moderator: Kenneth J. Moise, MD

10:40-10:50am | Methodology of Evidence Based Guideline Development: Karen A. Robinson, PhD

10:50-11:35am | Session 1: Management of Traumatic Hemorrhage in Women of Childbearing Potential: Trauma and Transfusion Workgroup
Proposed Guideline Statements: Christine Leeper, MD, MS
Moderator Led Discussion: Jennifer Gurney, MD, FACS, COL MC

11:35am-12:35pm | Lunch

12:35-1:20pm | Session 2: Management of Women of Childbearing Potential After Receipt of O+ Blood Products: Hematology Workgroup
Proposed Guideline Statements: Cassandra D. Josephson, MD
Moderator Led Discussion: Jennifer Andrews, MD, MSc

1:20-2:20pm | Session 3: Management of Red Cell Alloimmunization in Pregnancy: Maternal Fetal Workgroup
Proposed Guideline Statements: Kenneth J. Moise Jr, MD
Moderator Led Discussion: Kara B. Markham, MD, MA

2:20-2:35pm | Break

2:35-3:30pm | Session 4: Management of Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN) in the Neonate: Neonatal Workgroup
Proposed Guideline Statements: Timothy M. Bahr, MS, MD
Moderator Led Discussion: Ravi Mangal Patel, MD, MSc

3:30-4:00pm | Ethics and Equity of Care: Rh+ LTOWB in Females of Childbearing Potential: Jay Malone, MD, MS, PhD

4:00-4:20pm | Implementation and Dissemination: Sarah Malone, PhD, LCSW

4:20-4:50pm | Patient Panel Discussion: Moderator: Sara Malone, PhD, LCSW
Panel members: TBD

4:50-5:00pm | Closing Remarks: CAPT Travis Polk, MD, FACS

Day 2: Closed Session for Voting Committee
November 20

8:00-8:15am | Welcome & Review of Voting Methodology: Philip C. Spinella, MD, FCCM

8:15-9:00am | Session 1: Management of Traumatic Hemorrhage in Women of Childbearing Potential: Trauma and Transfusion Workgroup: Christine Leeper, MD, MS and Mark Yazer, MD

9:00-9:30am | Session 2: Management of Women of Childbearing Potential after Receipt of O+ Blood Products: Hematology Workgroup: Cassandra D. Josephson, MD and Jennifer Andrews, MD, MSc

9:30-9:45am | Break

9:45-10:30am | Session 3: Management of Red Cell Alloimmunization in Pregnancy: Maternal Fetal Workgroup: Kenneth J. Moise Jr, MD

10:30-11:15am | Session 4: Management of Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN) in the Neonate: Neonatal Workgroup: Timothy M. Bahr, MS, MD

11:15am-12:00pm | Research Prioritization for Each Working Group: Christine Leeper, MD, MS

12:00-1:00pm | Working Lunch, Implementation and Dissemination Plan: Sara Malone, PhD, LCSW

1:00-130pm | Publication Plans and Next Steps: Philip C. Spinella, MD, FCCM

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