Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Laboratory:  Blood Bank and Transfusion Services, Stem Cell Processing and Neely Cell Therapy and Collection Center

Blood Bank and Transfusion Service

Location:  Proger 8

Summary of Services Provided:

The Blood Bank provides ABO/Rh and antibody screen pre-transfusion testing, antibody identification, cross match and transfusion reaction testing on a routine and STAT basis 24/7.  Additional testing services include antigen phenotyping, direct antiglobulin testing (DAT), isohemaglutinin and prenatal antibody titration studies and platelet refractory investigation.

Blood products provided include leukoreduced and irradiated packed red blood cell and single donor platelet apheresis products, as well as, thawed plasma and cryoprecipitate. Routine orders for blood products require a justification for use and are expected to satisfy the transfusion threshold described below:

Red Blood Cells

• Hemoglobin < 8 g/dL
• Hemoglobin <9 g/dL with heart disease
• Active bleeding
• If other, state reason

Single Donor Platelet

• Platelet count < 100,000 with bleeding in the brain/skull/retina/lung or in a neonate
• Active bleeding
• If other, state reason

Thawed Plasma

• INR > 1.4 and requiring an invasive procedure
• Prolonged INR due to coumadin and active bleeding
• If other, state reason

Cryoprecipitate

• Fibrinogen < 200 mg/dL
• If other, state reason 

The Blood Bank will release blood products prior to completion of pre-transfusion testing when deemed medically necessary by a physician.

In the event of a trauma/massive bleed situation, the Blood Bank will emergently release a blood cooler packed with 6 group O red cells, 6 group AB thawed plasma and one single donor platelet.  Additionally a pool of cryoprecipitate will be released for all OB massive bleeds.

Hours of Operation:  24 hours per day, 7 days per week

Laboratory Contact Information:  617-636-6450

Medical Director and Contact Information:

Ray Comenzo, MD
Phone:  617-636-5842
Email:  rcomenzo@tuftsmedicalcenter.org

Manager and Contact Information:

Leslie Richardson-Weber
Phone:  617-636-6455
Email:  lrichardsonwebe@tuftsmedicalcenter.org

Supervisor and Contact Information:

Nuong Phan
Phone:  617-636-6450
Email:  nphan@tuftsmedicalcenter.org

Quality Assurance Supervisor and Contact Information:

Judy Forbes
Phone:  617-636-4378
Email:  jforbes@tuftsmedicalcenter.org

Stem Cell Processing

Location:  Proger 8

Summary of Services Provided:

The Stem Cell Processing Laboratory prepares hematopoietic progenitor cell products for use to the Tufts Medical Center transplant patient; product sources include bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cell and cord blood.  Orders from Tufts Medical Center transplant physicians are required for the collection, processing, storage and infusion of HPC products.

Hours of Operation:  Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Laboratory Contact Information: 617-636-6450

Medical Director and Contact Information:

Ray Comenzo, MD
Phone:  617-636-5842
Email:  rcomenzo@tuftsmedicalcenter.org

Manager and Contact Information:

Leslie Richardson-Weber
Phone:  617-636-6455
Email:  lrichardsonwebe@tuftsmedicalcenter.org

Supervisor and Contact Information:

Nuong Phan
Phone:  617-636-6450
Email:  nphan@tuftsmedicalcenter.org

Quality Assurance Supervisor and Contact Information:

Judy Forbes
Phone:  617-636-4378
Email:  jforbes@tuftsmedicalcenter.org

Neely Cell Therapy and Collection Center

Location:  South 8

Summary of Services Provided: 

The Neely Cell Therapy and Collection Center provides services to patients requiring therapeutic apheresis, Photopheresis, or therapeutic phlebotomy.  These services require prior evaluation by a Blood Bank physician to determine each individual’s course of treatment.  Consults for new patients are conducted in the Neely Center during regular business hours and may also be arranged by calling the Blood Bank physician.

Additional services include hematopoietic progenitor cell collection by apheresis for autologous and allogenic hematopoietic transplantation, as well as, outpatient transfusion and autologous blood donations.

Hours of Operation:  Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Laboratory Contact Information:  617-636-6453

Medical Director and Contact Information:

Ray Comenzo, MD
Phone:  617-636-5842
Email:  rcomenzo@tuftsmedicalcenter.org

Manager and Contact Information:

Leslie Richardson-Weber
Phone:  617-636-6455
Email:  lrichardsonwebe@tuftsmedicalcenter.org

Clinical Nursing Director and Contact Information:

Mark Diethelm, RN
Phone:  617-636-6453
Email:  mdiethelm@tuftsmedicalcenter.org

Quality Assurance Supervisor and Contact Information:

Judy Forbes
Phone:  617-636-4378
Email:  jforbes@tuftsmedicalcenter.org