Benefits
Who We Are
The American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI) is a not-for-profit association of clinical and research professionals including immunologists, geneticists, molecular biologists, transplant physicians and surgeons, pathologists and technologists. As a professional society involved in histocompatibility, immunogenetics and transplantation, ASHI is dedicated to advancing the science and application of histocompatibility and immunogenetics; providing a forum for the exchange of information; and advocating the highest standards of laboratory testing in the interest of optimal patient care.
Education
ASHI provides many opportunities for continuing education. Annual meetings each Fall provide members with the opportunity to meet and exchange information. Plenary sessions are organized to provide cutting edge material. Concurrent basic research and clinical scientific sessions provide an opportunity for all members to acquire knowledge and to interact with colleagues in their own areas of expertise. Additional presentations include both oral abstract and poster sessions. Educational workshops provide lectures and interactive discussions on specialized topics. Exhibits of commercial products and information of interest to the membership are also on display.
ASHI Regional education workshops, held in the spring and early summer, are designed to provide greater geographical accessibility to continuing education for ASHI members. These annual workshops are aimed at reinforcing topics selected from ASHI’s annual meetings and meeting specific educational needs in the rapidly growing fields of immunology and histocompatibility. One annual workshop is held at an international location. These workshops also help meet the continuing education requirements of the American Board of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ABHI). ASHI members qualify for discounted registration fees for the annual and regional meetings.
[Top]
Accreditation Program for Histocompatibility Laboratories
ASHI has established a laboratory accreditation program with the objective of maintaining the highest standards of reliability and quality in histocompatibility testing laboratories. Its purpose is to evaluate laboratory personnel, procedures and facilities to determine if they are in compliance with ASHI standards; to promote the education aspects of the accreditation process, particularly in assisting laboratories in the correction of deficiencies; and to maintain the society’s awareness of standard and novel procedures and methodologies. Areas of accreditation include: Stem cell/bone marrow transplantation; solid organ transplantation; genetic identification, and typing for non-transplant clinical purposes including transfusion.
This voluntary program has accredited over 200 histocompatibility laboratories worldwide and is administered by the Accreditation Review Board. ASHI accreditation has deemed status with HCFA, JCAHO and UNOS.
Accreditation of Training Programs for Histocompatibility Laboratory Directors
An accreditation program has been instituted to review and approve laboratory programs for training post-doctoral candidates to become histocompatibility laboratory directors, and to review and approve portfolios from individuals desiring certification as directors of ASHI accredited laboratories. This program is designed to ensure consistent quality by evaluation against established criteria for curricula, requisite facilities. The guidelines for selection of candidates and criteria for approval of training programs are available in written format by contacting the ASHI Executive Office.
Proficiency Testing
ASHI conducts a proficiency testing program for laboratories with active clinical histocompatibility testing programs. Annual surveys include modules for serological HLA-A, B, C typing, antibody determination, crossmatching; and ABO grouping; serological HLA-DR, DQ typing, antibody determination and crossmatching; DNA testing for HLA-DR, DQ, DP; DNA testing for HLA-A, B, C; Flow cytometry crossmatching; B27 determination; and engraftment monitoring.
[Top]
Standards for Histocompatibility Testing
Standards for Laboratory Testing have been established for the purpose of ensuring that accurate, reliable and appropriate histocompatibility testing are obtained. The standards establish minimal criteria, which all histocompatibility laboratories must meet if their services are to be considered acceptable. The standards are regularly reviewed and updated by Committee on Quality Assurance and Standards and are subject to public comment and final approval by ASHI Council.
American Board of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ABHI)
ABHI was established to develop standards of competency and examine and certify individuals in histocompatibility. The certification process is designed to promote and measure a standard of knowledge and competency desirable for medical laboratory personnel, encourage professional growth and individual study, and formally recognize those individuals who fulfill the requirements for certification. Certification is available at three levels: the Certified Histocompatibility Technologist (CHT), the Certified Histocompatibility Specialist (CHS) and the Certified Laboratory Director (dip. ABHI). Examinations are offered annually/biannually at several locations in conjunction with ASHI’s annual meeting.
Human Immunology
Human Immunology is a monthly, peer-reviewed journal providing an exchange of information and ideas on structural polymorphism of HLA genes in healthy and diseased populations, their function, regulation and expression in normal and malignant cells. The journal also publishes research on the structure and function of molecules that play a role in the activation and regulation of the immune response in patients with transplants, autoimmunity, or infectious diseases. Subdisciplines such as neuroimmunology, immunopharmacology and developmental and reproductive immunology are included, as well as editorials and seminar series on topics of general concern. Human Immunology is published monthly by Elsevier Science Publishing Company, New York. A subscription is included in the ASHI full, institutional and sustaining membership categories.
[Top]
ASHI Quarterly
The ASHI Quarterly is a newsletter published four times a year to communicate information regarding society activities and to provide educational opportunities in the form of clinically relevant scientific articles of interest to the membership. Issues addressed include updates on accreditation, new government regulations, summaries of the annual meeting and regional workshop sessions, new product updates, literature reviews and educational opportunities. An ASHI Quarterly subscription is included as a benefit in all membership categories.
Laboratory Procedure Manual
The Laboratory Procedure Manual is a comprehensive reference manual for standard procedures and advanced techniques including Quality Assurance used in histocompatibility laboratories. Each procedure is written in the NCCLS format by recognized experts in the field. The fourth edition of the Laboratory Procedure Manual, published in 2000, is available in a 2-volume printed format or on a searchable CD-ROM. ASHI members may purchase the manual at a reduced price.
Membership Directory
ASHI’s Membership Directory includes names, postal and e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, and fax numbers of all members. It also includes general information about ASHI, its programs, executive committee, standing committees, the Bylaws, and the current Standards for Histocompatibility Testing. A listing of national and international histocompatibility laboratories is included for easy reference. The Membership Directory is published annually.
For Members Only
Click here to get to the Membership Directory
[Top]
The ASHI Web Site
The ASHI Web page on the Internet provides information about the organization, its officers and activities. It provides resources of interest to members of the HLA community, such as the sequences of HLA alleles, a link to on-line access to Human Immunology, on-line ordering of ASHI publications, a searchable version of ASHI’s membership directory, employment opportunities, and links to related organizations. It also contains a Digital Discussions section and the ASHI Technical Hotline. Some Access to some areas of the web site are restricted to members only.
[Top]