| November 28, 2012 | News for the transfusion medicine and cellular therapy community |
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- Hemorrhage risk from warfarin may be highest in first month
 Atrial fibrillation patients who take the anticoagulant warfarin were most at risk of developing a hemorrhage during the first month of medication, according to a study of 125,195 patients in Canada. The risk for hemorrhage was as high as 15% during the first 30 days, depending on other risk factors, including hypertension and congestive heart failure. The study appeared in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. DailyRx.com
(11/26)     
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Quotient is on a roll with new FDA approvals & GPO contracts
More good news from Quotient! Not only do we have FDA-approved Reagent Red Blood Cells products, but also just approved Rare Antisera, including Anti-s and Anti-Wra. We also have new 3-yr agreements with Premier Inc. and the General Services Administration. Great products and value from the one manufacturer focused on manual testing. Contact us today. |
| Science & Health |  |  |
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- Tenn. to recontact people who got NECC drug due to new infections
The Tennessee Health Department will start recontacting more than 1,000 people exposed to the New England Compounding Center's contaminated drug methylprednisolone acetate. The move is prompted by a rise in infections distinct from the initial meningitis cases. "While these infections are not as serious as meningitis, they need to be identified and treated to prevent them from becoming a more significant health problem," Tennessee Health Commissioner Dr. John Dreyzehner said. The Tennessean (Nashville) (tiered subscription model)
(11/26)
- Method allows aging stem cells to rejuvenate
Canadian researchers have developed a method to prompt aging stem cells to rejuvenate. The researchers created a "micro-environment" conducive to growing heart tissue from stem cells collected from elderly patients. The discovery could allow for the development of "young" patches for treating or healing damaged or diseased hearts without the fear of rejection. ZeeNews.com (India)/Indo-Asian News Service
(11/28)
| Emerging Trends | | |
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- CDC study examines HIV cases in teens, young adults
More than a quarter of all new HIV cases in the U.S. in 2010 involved 13- to 24-year-olds, and 60% didn't even know they were infected, CDC researchers said. They noted that only a small percentage of high-school students and young adults have ever been tested for HIV. HealthDay News
(11/27), Reuters
(11/27)
| Industry News & Practice | | |
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- AesRx reports promising data for sickle cell disease drug
AesRx said data from a Phase I study of its sickle cell disease treatment Aes-103 showed the drug is safe and well-tolerated by patients. The data are set to be presented at a hematology meeting. Following the positive findings, AesRx has started a second trial at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Md., that will involve patients with sickle cell disease. Mass High Tech (Boston)
(11/27)
| Government & Regulatory | | |
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- CMS penalizing hospitals to curb readmissions
Medicare is taking the maximum 1% penalty from 307 of 2,217 hospitals identified as having readmission rates that are too high as part of the Affordable Care Act's push to rein in Medicare spending increases and prevent unneeded care. Readmission penalties have captured the attention of hospitals, many of which are attempting to enhance supervision after discharge. Readmissions should be regarded as a challenge to conquer, said Dr. Harlan Krumholz of Yale-New Haven Hospital's Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)
(11/26)
- Agency sets comment period for stage 3 MU measures
Comments on the CMS draft recommendations for stage 3 meaningful use objectives for the EHR incentive program may be submitted until Jan. 14, according to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. Health care groups and providers may give input on objectives for meaningful use, quality metrics and privacy and security measures. BeckersHospitalReview.com
(11/27)
| Association News | | |
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"Transfusion" article reviews tool to assess bleeding severity in patients with thrombocytopenia
An article in the November issue of "Transfusion" describes a new tool -- the Bleeding Severity Measurement Scale -- for assessing bleeding severity in patients with chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. The authors state that "[a]lthough various bleeding measures exist, there is no standardized and validated method of assessment of bleeding severity in patients with CIT." The scale includes three grades: Grade 0, no bleeding; Grade 1, not clinically significant bleeding; and Grade 2, clinically significant bleeding. The researchers concluded that use of the scale in clinical trials should provide valid and reliable assessments of bleeding. Continuing medical education credits are being offered for reading and successfully completing a test on the article. Read the abstract or visit the CME website.
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