George Fritsma

MS, MLS, Lab Scientist, Educator, Author

George Fritsma is a medical laboratory scientist, educator, and author. George contributed five chapters to Keohane EM, Butina MM, Mirza KM, Walenga JM: Rodak’s Hematology; Clinical Principles and Applications, Seventh Edition, 2025, Elsevier; and is the co-author of Bennett A, Fritsma GA, Ernst DJ: Quick Guide to Blood Collection Edition 2, 2016, Marques MB, Fritsma GA: Quick Guide to Coagulation Testing Edition 3, 2015, and Reddy V, Marques MB, Fritsma GA: Quick Guide to Hematology Testing Edition 2, 2013, along with three additional titles, all published by AACC Press. He is a consultant in the Laboratory Medicine Department of Pathology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. George is a member of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis, the International Society for Laboratory Hematology, and the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.

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September 2026 QQ: Anticoagulant Therapy for LAC Patients with VTE

Our September 2026 Quick Question is a poll that asks: In your facility, what AC is used for LAC patients with VTE? Anti-Xa DOAC Anti-IIa DOAC Warfarin Aspirin None AC therapy is indicated for VTE, including VTE and fetal loss associated with the presence of chronic LAC in the plasma. The commonly used anti-FXa DOACs […]

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Anticoagulant Therapy

Addendum to QQ September 2026: Dr. Favaloro's Reference

The article cited by Dr. Favaloro in his comment appended to the September 2026 QQ introduction is open access. Click here for the complete text: Favaloro EJ, Pasalic L. Lupus anticoagulant testing during anticoagulation, including direct oral anticoagulants. Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2022;6:e12676. doi: 10.1002/rth2.12676. PMID: 35316943; PMCID: PMC8922544. Abstract Background Lupus anticoagulants (LA) are […]

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Blog

PT/INR and PTT Therapeutic Levels

From Jessica Warner, Kettering Health: Hi George, I was wondering whether there has ever been a discussion about evaluating these ranges and whether there’s a consensus on what they should be. I have been in my job for 12 years and never looked at them to change them until an AC at another health system […]

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Anticoagulant Therapy

September 2026 Cheat Sheet

Click here for our September 2026 Cheat Sheet. If you would like to receive your push copy of the monthly Cheat Sheet, please complete the form on the right. The push copy offers links to our August posts.

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Cheat Sheets

August 2026 QQ Summary: Coagulation Control Proteins

Our August 2026 QQ asked: “Which is NOT an endogenous coag control protein?” Our 29 participants answered… 1. Antithrombin: 1 (3%) 2. APC: 2 (7%) 3. TFPI: 4 (14%) 4. VKA: 22 (76%) VKA is the correct answer. VKA is the general term for the therapeutic anticoagulant warfarin (once called Coumadin®), which suppresses vitamin K […]

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Bleeding Disorders

World Thrombosis Day

World Thrombosis Day takes place every year on October 13, the birthday of Rudolf Virchow, who was a pioneer in the pathophysiology of thrombosis. A German physician, pathologist, biologist, and anthropologist, Virchow developed the concept of “thrombosis” and advanced our understanding of this condition. He pioneered the modern concept of pathological processes by his application […]

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Thrombophilia

Circadian Clock Regulates Hemostasis

This 2026 advanced open-access meta-analysis examines the effects of the circadian clock, accounting for the prevalence of morning strokes and AMIs. Ibrahim Z, Murphy RP, Guillaume GC, Arya R, Goswami N. Circadian clock regulation of hemostasis: a systematic review of molecular pathways. Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2026 May 8;10(4):106642. doi: 10.1016/j.rpth.2026.106642. PMID: 42293739; PMCID: PMC13264353. […]

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Arterial Thrombosis

Specimen Volume Management Minimizes Blood Loss

This open-access editorial addresses an essential concern in hemostasis and all areas of laboratory medicine. Šimundić AM, Jovičić S, Cornes M, et al. Sample volume management: the role of the clinical laboratory in minimizing diagnostic blood loss. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2026 Aug 24. doi: 10.1515/cclm-2026-1125. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42631442. Abstract Hospital-acquired anemia […]

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Specimen Management

DOAC Pharmacodynamics and Potential Near-patient Decision Making

Access your ISTH membership or medical library for a ground-breaking JTH Forum article: Shaw JR, Ansell J. A light in the dark-reframing direct oral anticoagulant pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics for near-patient decision-making. J Thromb Haemost. 2026;24(8):2726-2731. doi: 10.1016/j.jtha.2026.05.016. Epub 2026 May 21. PMID: 42173287. Abstract Direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) level testing is needed most when decisions […]

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Anticoagulant Therapy

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