| November 11, 2009 | News for the transfusion medicine and cellular therapy community |
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- Program collects data on blood-related adverse events
A pilot program for monitoring adverse events related to blood collection and transfusion and tissue and organ transplantation has so far collected data on 764 adverse reactions and incidents in seven hospitals. The program was rolled out last spring through a collaboration between the government and organizations involved in blood-related procedures and transplants. The gathered data will be used to determine trends and recommend measures for hospitals to reduce adverse events and errors resulting from blood-related practices. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model)/Health Blog
(11/10)     
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| | Did You Forget to Order Sync-to-Slide Presentations in New Orleans?
It's not too late! Click here and then click "my account" to buy all AABB Annual Meeting 2009 content for the days you were registered in the sync-to-slide format for just $100. Get slide show presentations synchronized to the speaker's voice and earn CME/CE credit for the sessions you weren't able to attend. Share the Annual Meeting sessions with your staff today! | |
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| Science & Health | | |
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- ESCs could help recover memory in patients treated with radiation
 Human embryonic stem cells injected directly into the hippocampus of irradiated rats improved the animals' memory four months after the treatment, a study said. The rats were euthanized after the study, and the researchers found that the stem cells grew into neurons and astrocytes -- a type of brain cell. The findings suggest that embryonic stem cells could help recover short-term memory loss and improve long-term memory among cancer patients who underwent radiation therapy, the researchers said. Los Angeles Times/Booster Shots blog
(11/10)
- CDC estimates 4,000 U.S. deaths from H1N1 flu since April
Calculations by CDC epidemiologists put the number of U.S. deaths from H1N1 flu since April at 4,000, higher than the earlier 1,200 count. The higher figure was based on the number of deaths from laboratory-confirmed cases of flu, as well as deaths that seemed to be caused by the flu. NYTimes.com
(11/10)
- Study links anemia drugs to fatal blood clots
Researchers found that cancer patients who received erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, such as Procrit and Aranesp, to prevent chemotherapy-related anemia were more likely to develop deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism than those who did not receive the drugs. The results raise concerns regarding the approval process and postmarketing research conducted to ensure long-term safety of such drugs, the lead researcher said. U.S. News & World Report/HealthDay News
(11/10)
- Analyst: Point-of-care diagnostic tools should have EMR connectivity
Point-of-care diagnostics manufacturers should ensure that their products "can link up with major EMR systems" to achieve optimum value, said Shara Rosen, diagnostics analyst at Kalorama Information. Kalorama's new report evaluates the use of POC diagnostics as well as the challenges that come with linking information from POC products to electronic medical records. Health Data Management
(11/10)
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| | Introducing a new alternative for blood banks.
Meet Quotient Biodiagnostics, a company with decades of know-how and a focus on making your job easier. Our reliable ALBAclone® transfusion diagnostics – including ABO grouping and Rh Typing reagents, and rare antisera – are now approved for sale by the FDA. Contact us today to find out about our Evaluation Program and affordable pricing. QuotientBD.com | |
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| Industry News & Practice | | |
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- GSK gets FDA OK for nonadjuvant H1N1 vaccine
GlaxoSmithKline gained FDA approval for a formulation of seasonal flu vaccine FluLaval that has no adjuvant and contains the H1N1 strain. The company expects to begin distributing the vaccine in December and satisfy an order of 7.6 million doses from the government. Reuters
(11/10), Bloomberg
(11/10)
- Google introduces Web-based locator of flu vaccines
Google has rolled out a flu vaccine finder service at google.com/flushot, which is designed to locate facilities that offer H1N1 and seasonal flu shots. "Given slower than expected vaccine production, we think it's important to bring together flu shot information in a coherent manner," said Roni Zeiger and Jennifer Haroon of Google. Yahoo!/Agence France-Presse
(11/10)
| Government & Regulatory | | |
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- H1N1 vaccine is safe, FDA chief says
The H1N1 flu vaccine is developed in the same manner as a seasonal flu shot and therefore is safe for use, FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg told doctors in a letter. Hamburg also encouraged practitioners to report side effects potentially linked to the H1N1 vaccine to the FDA's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. Los Angeles Times/Booster Shots blog
(11/10)
| Association News | | |
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Reminder: Discount advertising package offered for CareerLink
Throughout this month, employers can save 50% off the regular rates for 30-day job postings on CareerLink, the job search engine specifically targeted to the blood banking, transfusion medicine and cellular therapy community. Members and nonmembers can receive the discounted rate through Nov. 30. Add a job listing.
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