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| AABB SmartBrief |
| February 9, 2012 |
Study: Platelet-rich plasma better than cortisone for plantar fasciitis
U.S. researchers found that platelet-rich plasma injections were significantly more effective and longer lasting than cortisone for patients with severe chronic plantar fasciitis that resisted traditional nonsurgical management. Patients who received a single injection of methylprednisolone saw less improvement than patients who got one injection of unbuffered autologous platelet-rich plasma, according to a study presented at a meeting of orthopedic surgeons. PhysiciansBriefing.com/HealthDay News (2/7)
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Researchers develop gel that can heal bone fractures
U.S. researchers have created a gel with fracture-healing properties using a protein developed from adult stem cells. The gel, dubbed "fracture putty," fully healed rats with fractures after two weeks. The researchers said tests on larger animals are going well. The Daily Mail (London) (2/8)
Study: Aggrenox and omeprazole don't interact when taken together
A study found that omeprazole, a proton-pump inhibitor, does not interfere with Boehringer Ingelheim's anti-platelet drug Aggrenox. Boehringer presented the results at the International Stroke Conference. Drug Store News (2/8)
Two cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob diagnosed in Calif.
California health officials reported that two people in the state have been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and one has died as a result. Officials think the cases are not related, and it was unclear whether the variant or nonvariant form of CJD was involved. Variant CJD is rare and related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, while the nonvariant form is slightly more common and not related to BSE. Only three people in the U.S. have ever been diagnosed with vCJD, and they were believed to have contracted the disease while living abroad. Marin Independent Journal (San Rafael, Calif.) (2/8)
International meeting to focus on bird flu studies
The World Health Organization is coordinating an international meeting next week in Geneva that will discuss issues relating to two studies of bird flu transmissibility. "Participants will discuss the specific circumstances and results of the two studies and will try to reach a consensus about ad hoc, practical actions to resolve the most urgent issues, particularly related to access to and dissemination of the results of this research," the organization said. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (tiered subscription model)/Health & Science Today blog (2/8)
Analyst: EHRs need to mature as industry moves to accountable care
The industry move to accountable care organizations and other patient-centric business models makes it crucial that electronic health records reach maturity as platforms for real-time coordination of care, says the expert behind The Healthcare IT Guy blog. Healthcare IT News (2/7)
Carter BloodCare to establish new blood center
Carter BloodCare is planning to build a new facility in Woodway, Texas, that will include a bigger blood donation center to accommodate a growing donor base. The facility will also house administrative and recruitment offices, as well as training and staging areas for mobile collections. KXXV-TV (Waco, Texas) (2/8)
Cytomedix acquires stem cell company Aldagen
Cytomedix purchased Aldagen for $16 million in stock, expanding the former's pipeline of regenerative therapies. The acquisition "provides Cytomedix with a novel, patent-protected cell selection technology that fits well with our existing commercial products and strengthens our long-range growth profile," Cytomedix CEO Martin Rosendale said. MedCityNews.com (2/8)
Obama budget will include Medicare, Medicaid cuts
President Barack Obama's proposed fiscal 2013 budget will reduce federal health care spending through increased premiums and deductibles for some Medicare enrollees and lower payments to drugmakers, nursing homes and hospitals. The Wall Street Journal (2/7)
HHS inspector general puts spotlight on IT challenges
A 2011 review by the Office of Inspector General reveals the key challenges that the Department of Health and Human Services will face this year, many of which have information technology implications for health care groups. Among the goals identified are cracking down on Medicare and Medicaid fraud, curbing improper payments, enhancing patient safety and care quality, and bolstering the security of health data and IT systems. Healthcare IT News (2/6)
Reminder: Comment period open for proposed AABB Standards, featuring updated QSE template
The comment period on the proposed 28th edition of Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services and the proposed fifth edition of Standards for Perioperative Autologous Blood Collection and Administration is open until March 5. These are the first two editions of Standards that include the revised Quality System Essentials template, which contains few new requirements but captures a way of thinking about quality consistent with the current transfusion medicine environment. Review the proposed standards and submit comments by e-mail or by phone at +1.301.215.6493.
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