AABB SmartBrief

Reading this on a mobile device? Try our optimized mobile version here: http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dExjCfbwocexsbxdLYBK

May 17, 2012

News for the transfusion medicine and cellular therapy community

Top Story

Studies will help evaluate MSM donor deferral, HHS official says
The U.S. government has undertaken three studies and is planning a fourth as it considers whether to change its blood-donor deferral policy for men who have sex with men, said James Berger, HHS senior adviser for blood policy. "There will be a transparent and evidence-based evaluation of MSM donation policies," Berger said. The Washington Times (5/16)

Now FDA Approved! Quotient Reagent Red Blood Cells
Samples of Quotient Biodiagnostics' full range of ALBAcyte^® Reagent Red Blood Cell products are now available. To try this new alternative, contact us today to receive reverse, antibody screening and antibody identification cells. See the difference in our customer care and superior value as you sample our products. Contact your rep or 888.284.1901.

Science & Health

U.S. HIV/AIDS prevention efforts abroad have ripple effect
Money the U.S. government spends in other countries to fight HIV/AIDS improves the general quality of health care and prevents deaths from other causes, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. All-cause mortality dropped by nearly 20% over five years in nine African countries with President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief programs. National Public Radio/Shots blog (5/15), Reuters (5/15)

Emerging Trends

JAMA launches Web platform to integrate journals
The Journal of the American Medical Association has launched the JAMA Network, a Web platform that integrates the association's 10 journals. This move and other changes are intended to make the journals more accessible on smartphones and tablet computers, according to JAMA's editor-in-chief. American Medical News (free content) (5/14)

Report: Only 10% of hospitals intend to participate in ACOs
The Hospitals in Pursuit of Excellence initiative of the American Hospital Association has issued a report regarding the preparedness of hospitals for population-based accountable care. The report, based on the findings of a national survey of hospitals in 2011, indicated that 1 in 10 hospitals have immediate plans to join an accountable care organization. BeckersHospitalReview.com (5/10)

Donor Recruiting & Retention Got Easier TODAY
Mobile apps are changing the way we work, play, socialize, learn — and live. Now, they're changing the way we recruit and retain blood donors too. Welcome to the mobile app revolution. The future of donor recruiting and retention is here NOW. Learn more.

Industry News & Practice

Calif. blood banks partner to create Desert Blood Services
LifeStream and United Blood Services' Community Blood Bank of Rancho Mirage, Calif., are coming together to launch Desert Blood Services on June 4. "Together, we'll be able to collect more blood. We're going to be more efficient from the standpoint of the cost of collecting a unit of blood," said Dr. Rick Axelrod, LifeStream's CEO. "Our intention is to be able to pass on some of those savings to hospitals." The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, Calif.) (5/17)

Generics coming as patent expires on clopidogrel bisulfate
The patent has expired on best-selling clot-buster Plavix, or clopidogrel bisulfate. Seven companies have received tentative approval for generics. TheHeart.org (Montreal) (free registration) (5/16), The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (5/16)

FDA approves antimicrobial dressing for IV systems
The FDA has granted Covalon Technologies approval for an antimicrobial adhesive film dressing to secure vascular intravenous access devices. Covalon said the dressing is a new tool to prevent catheter-associated bloodstream infections. BeckersASC.com (5/16)

Government & Regulatory

Lawmakers: Medicare deal is unlikely before 2013
Congress is unlikely to strike a deal to overhaul Medicare and Medicaid before next year, Reps. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said. Instead, Congress is likely to extend current policies during the lame-duck session. Modern Healthcare (subscription required) (5/15)

ONC to add Consumer eHealth Office, chief medical officer
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT is establishing an Office of the Chief Medical Officer and an Office of Consumer eHealth. The CMO will provide a clinical perspective to ONC initiatives, including meaningful use policy development, and will "play a key role in helping ONC satisfy its mission of improving health and health care through health IT," wrote Dr. Farzad Mostashari, the national coordinator for health IT, in a blog post. The Office of Consumer eHealth will work to facilitate family and patient engagement in health care through patient-focused challenges and pledge programs. Healthcare Informatics online (5/16)

Association News

Reminder: CT subsections post their projects, opportunities to join
New resources created by several AABB cellular therapy subsections are now available on the AABB website. The CT Business Management subsection posted a business planning outline that provides information on constructing an effective business plan. The Novel Therapies and CT Product Development subsection's checklist on the "Implementation of Manufacturing and Clinical Trial Logistics" also is available. Enroll in any of the subsections through the AABB website, or visit the frequently asked questions for more information.

Learn more about AABB® ->

Homepage | Join AABB | Conferences | Marketplace

Position Title	Company Name	Location
Manager of Donor Recruitment	American Red Cross	US - MI - Detroit
Executive Director - Hemostasis	Novo Nordisk	US - NJ - Princeton
Manufacturing Processes Specialist	Blood Systems, Inc.	US - AZ - Scottsdale
Regional Director of Transfusion Services	Advocate Health Care	US - IL
Senior Project Manager	Blood Systems, Inc.	US - AZ - Scottsdale
Standards Development Specialist	AABB	US - MD - Bethesda
Director, Regional Quality	Blood Systems, Inc.	US - LA - Lafayette
Performance Improvement Consultant	Blood Systems, Inc.	US - AZ - Scottsdale
(CEO), Greater Ozarks Region	American Red Cross	US - AR - Little Rock
Deputy Director, Regulatory Affairs - Cellular Therapy	AABB	US - MD - Bethesda

Click here to view more job listings.

SmartQuote

Live rich, die poor; never make the mistake of doing it the other way 'round."

--Walter Annenberg,
American publisher, philanthropist and diplomat

Subscriber Tools

Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy

Advertise

Corporate Relations Manager: Tamara Zein (240) 333-6604

Download Media Kit

Job Board: AABB CareerLink

Read more at SmartBrief.com
A powerful website for SmartBrief readers including:
Industry Home Readers' Choice Search Archive Who's Hiring? Grab our News Widget


	Recent AABB SmartBrief Issues: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 Tuesday, May 15, 2012 Monday, May 14, 2012 Friday, May 11, 2012 Thursday, May 10, 2012			Lead Editor: Tom Parks Managing Editor: Aaron Lyss Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004