Top Story

• Analysis: Antifibrinolytic reduces transfusions by a third
  The administration of tranexamic acid as a clotting aid before planned surgery reduced the risk that a blood transfusion would be needed by about a third, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal. After reviewing data from 129 clinical trials, researchers concluded that surgical patients should be made aware of the benefits of this antifibrinolytic. The Telegraph (London) (5/21)     

Science & Health

• CDC: All baby boomers should be tested for hepatitis C
  The CDC released new guidelines encouraging people born from 1945 to 1965 to get a one-time blood test for hepatitis C. According to the agency, 1 in 30 baby boomers has the disease, but only a fraction has been diagnosed. The additional testing could identify 800,000 new cases and prevent more than 120,000 deaths linked to the virus, CDC said. HealthDay News (5/18), Reuters (5/18)     

• Spinal injury patients gain motor control in stem cell trial
  Injections of autologous stem cells derived from bone marrow fostered long-term healing of spinal cord injuries in a small clinical trial, according to a study in the journal Neurosurgery. Three out of 10 patients exhibited "continuous and gradual motor improvement," and three more showed detectable gains. The three patients who improved the most came into the trial with "residual neurological function," according to the researchers. LiveScience.com (5/17)     

• Revlimid aids survival after stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma
  Revlimid increased the three-year survival rate from 35% to 59% for patients with multiple myeloma who underwent stem cell transplantation, according to results from a late-stage trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The results were better than those in previous trials. Risks can include the development of other cancers, but the drug was generally well-tolerated in long-term use, according to a co-author. DailyRx.com (5/19)     

Hot Topics

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

• Researchers use worms in blood substitute study (NineMSN (Australia))

• LifeSouth releases statement in light of recent HIV case (Montgomery Advertiser (Ala.))

• Studies will help evaluate MSM donor deferral, HHS official says (The Washington Times)

• Stem cell-based therapy to be tested for inflammatory bowel disease (MedCityNews.com)

• Calif. blood banks partner to create Desert Blood Services (The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, Calif.))

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

Industry News & Practice

• Phase II trial planned for stem cell therapy for stroke
  ReNeuron plans to file an application with regulators next year to conduct a midstage trial of its stem cell treatment ReN001 in disabled stroke patients. The treatment is based on multipotent somatic stem cells derived from non-embryonic human tissue. PharmaTimes (U.K.) (5/17)     

	The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS) On-line SBB Exam Review Course offered through The George Washington University. Self-paced preparation for the ASCP SBB certification exam. Application deadlines: February 1, June 1 and September 1. Main exam content categories covered. Includes sample exam questions. Contact course director, William Turcan, at wturcan@gwu.edu for more information.

Government & Regulatory

• Senate considers giving FDA wider regulatory power
  The Senate could decide this week on granting the FDA wider regulatory authority, including the ability to better track medical devices for safety problems, prevent shortages of prescription drugs and inspect foreign drug facilities. The bill would change a law that identifies the amounts drugmakers and medical-device manufacturers must pay the agency to review their products. The Wall Street Journal (5/18)     

• Lawmakers negotiate drug "track and trace" in PDUFA
  The FDA and drug industry stakeholders are negotiating a tracking system as part of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act reauthorization to prevent the distribution of counterfeit medicines. Politico (Washington, D.C.) (5/17)     

• Ruling favors nurse who refused to collect blood
  U.S. Magistrate Judge James Hopkins ruled that sheriff's deputies in Palm Beach County, Fla., were wrong to handcuff a nurse who cited hospital policy in declining to collect blood from a drunken-driving suspect without a doctor's order. The ruling allows the Veterans Affairs nurse to seek damages in her lawsuit. The Palm Beach Post (Fla.) (5/21)     

Association News

• May issue of AABB News looks at patient blood management
  The latest issue of AABB News examines the growing area of patient blood management, or PBM. One feature article focuses on five elements of a PBM program for facilities to consider implementing: preoperative anemia evaluation, perioperative blood management, intensive care unit and postoperative care, review of blood utilization and physician education. Another feature explores how PBM can be beneficial for different patient populations, such as pediatric, surgery, cardiology and oncology patients. See a preview of the May issue.     

Position Title Company Name Location Advanced Clinical Lab Specialist - IRL Blood Systems, Inc. US - AZ - Tempe Standards Development Specialist AABB US - MD - Bethesda Communications Manager AABB US - MD - Bethesda Country Director - Mozambique AABB MOZ - Nationwide Deputy Director, Regulatory Affairs - Cellular Therapy AABB US - MD - Bethesda Manager of Donor Recruitment American Red Cross US - MI - Detroit Manufacturing Processes Specialist Blood Systems, Inc. US - AZ - Scottsdale Executive Director - Hemostasis Novo Nordisk US - NJ - Princeton Regional Director of Transfusion Services Advocate Health Care US - IL Director, Regional Quality Blood Systems, Inc. US - LA - Lafayette Performance Improvement Consultant Blood Systems, Inc. US - AZ - Scottsdale

Click here to view more job listings.

SmartQuote

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." --Scott Adams, American cartoonist and writer