ASCP SBB case studies
ASCP SBB · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The ASCP Board of Certification Specialist in Blood Bank (SBB) credential is an advanced certification for laboratory professionals who work at, or aspire to work at, reference-laboratory level in immunohematology and transfusion medicine. Candidates are typically medical laboratory scientists with several years of blood bank experience, technicians in donor centers and hospital transfusion services, and others preparing for supervisory, technical-specialist, or education roles. Unlike entry-level certification, the SBB examination is built around problem-solving rather than recall: complex antibody identification, serologic discrepancies, compatibility resolution, immunohematology theory, donor qualification and component processing, transfusion practice and patient blood management, quality and regulatory systems, and newer molecular and cellular-therapy applications. Preparation is usually a combination of structured self-study (standard immunohematology and transfusion medicine texts, technical manuals, current AABB and CAP guidance), case-based practice with antibody workups and problem panels, and review of the regulatory framework governing donor collection and hospital transfusion services. The ASCP SBB case studies are 5 cases and about 1,561 words.
1Panagglutination in a Patient With Life-Threatening Anemia
A 62-year-old woman is admitted with melena and fatigue. Her hemoglobin is 6.4 g/dL, platelets 220 × 10^9/L, INR 1.1, and creatinine is normal.
341 words, about 2 min2HCV NAT-Positive, Seronegative Repeat Donor
A 38-year-old repeat blood donor gives a whole blood unit. Serologic screening for HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis is negative, but individual-donation HCV NAT is reactive on the initial assay.
312 words, about 2 min3Transfusion Threshold in an Older Patient With Cardiac Disease
A 79-year-old man with stable angina and prior CABG is admitted with a 2-day history of melena. He is alert, BP 128/74 mm Hg, HR 96/min, Hb 7.6 g/dL, Hct 23%, platelets 180 × 10^9/L, and INR 1.4.
314 words, about 2 min4Temperature Excursion in the Blood Bank Refrigerator
On Monday morning, the blood bank refrigerator alarm log shows that the temperature was 8.2°C from 02:10 to 02:55. The on-call technologist documented the alarm but did not move the units because the alarm self-reset.
259 words, about 1 min5Major ABO-Incompatible Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant
A 45-year-old man with AML in first remission undergoes allogeneic PBSCT from his HLA-matched brother. The donor is group A and the recipient is group O (major ABO mismatch).
335 words, about 2 min