Top Story

• Red Cross uses mobile technology to increase blood donations
  The Red Cross Blood Services, South Central Division, has started a mobile media program that will let people register to receive real-time alerts on blood inventory levels and blood donation information, as well as schedule donation appointments and locate blood drives. "By offering the texting option to donors, the Red Cross will deliver relevant content anywhere, anytime, on demand, nurturing a one-to-one relationship," a mobile technology expert said. The Muskogee Phoenix (Okla.) (11/13)

	Cellular Therapy: Principles, Methods, and Regulations This manual was designed as a compendium of state-of-the-art practices and methods for cellular therapy. It will assist laboratory staff in developing procedures that comply with applicable regulations and standards. To read more and buy your copy today, click here.
	ADVERTISEMENT

Science & Health

• 2 units of cord blood could cut risk of leukemia recurrence
  U.S. researchers found that transplanting acute leukemia patients with two units of umbilical cord blood instead of just one significantly reduced their risk of disease recurrence. The discovery could alter the practice of using just one unit of cord blood to treat patients most likely to have recurrence of leukemia and other diseases related to the blood and bone marrow. New Kerala (India)/Asian News International (11/14)

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by AABB SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Facility slated to be 2nd largest blood testing lab in the U.S. (American City Business Journals)

• Flu pandemic affects U.S. blood supply (The Wall Street Journal)

• Program collects data on blood-related adverse events (The Wall Street Journal)

• Hospital network seen as model for health care reform (The New York Times)

• Cord blood transplant treats cerebral palsy in little girl (FoxNews.com)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

	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
	ADVERTISEMENT

Emerging Trends

• H1N1 flu pandemic affects Canadian blood supply
  The Canadian Blood Services estimated that in the past six weeks, about 700 blood donation appointments had been canceled every week in part because some mobile clinic locations were needed for H1N1 vaccinations. The blood services is also preparing for high donor, volunteer and staff absenteeism in the coming weeks because of the flu season. The Vancouver Sun (Canada)/Canwest News Service (11/13)

• Warfarin test software gaining popularity in New Zealand
  The INRonline management system, a software that allows patients on the blood-clot drug warfarin to monitor their blood clotting factor online, has made it as one of the 10 finalists in the New Zealand Focus on Health Challenge, which is facilitated by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. One trial showed the software helped patients improve disease management 80% of the time. Manawatu Standard (New Zealand) (11/16)

Industry News & Practice

• Health experts use technology from ESRI to monitor H1N1 flu
  National and local health departments, including the CDC, have started using a geographic information systems technology from ESRI to determine the areas with the most H1N1 flu cases. The data system will help experts identify the areas that need the most vaccines and control the disease, an expert said. Redlands Daily Facts (Calif.) (11/14)

• Fate Therapeutics raises $30M from financing round
  Fate Therapeutics said it has raised $30 million from a series B funding round headed by OVP Venture Partners. The company is studying a method that employs small molecule drugs to turn adult stem cells into induced pluripotent stem cells. San Diego Business Journal (11/16)

• Medicines Co. might conduct more trials on cangrelor
  Medicines Co. might conduct new and larger trials of intravenous blood thinner drug cangrelor in consideration of promising data on survival and blood clots. The drug failed previous trials because it did not meet main study goals, but it also showed it can significantly reduce overall mortality and blood-clot incidents related to new stents. In the event of new trials, the drug might show improved results if it is administered to patients through longer intravenous infusions, researchers said. Reuters (11/15)

Government & Regulatory

• Proposed Medicare Commission would ration care
  The proposed Medicare Commission might transform U.S. health care into a system that puts the interests of the government and not the patients first, according to this Wall Street Journal opinion piece. The commission also threatens to stifle innovation with its objective to recommend cheaper treatments first and go after "sources of excess cost growth" in medicine, potentially undermining physicians' judgments. The Wall Street Journal (11/15)

• CMS reports increase in Medicare quality incentive payments in 2008
  The CMS issued $92 million in incentive payments to 85,000 doctors and other qualified practitioners who demonstrated Medicare quality reporting under its 2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative, up from $36 million to 56,700 providers in 2007. "The substantial growth in the national total for PQRI incentive payments demonstrates that Medicare can align payment with quality incentives," said Charlene Frizerra, the agency's acting administrator. Government Health IT (11/13)

Association News

• FDA clears first rapid test for bacterial contamination in pooled platelets
  The FDA on Friday cleared for marketing the Platelet PGD Test System, the first rapid test for the detection of bacterial contamination in pooled platelets derived from whole blood. Manufactured by Verax Biomedical, the Platelet PGD Test System is intended for use as a quality control test just prior to a patient blood transfusion. Learn more.

SmartQuote

Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm." --Samuel Taylor Coleridge, English poet, critic and philosopher