Most Clicked AABB SmartBrief Stories
1. Researchers devise way to produce blood platelets in the lab
AABB SmartBrief | Dec 29, 2008
U.S. researchers were able to continuously grow human blood platelets for about a month in 3-D bioreactors using hematopoietic stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood. The system enabled the production of as much as 1.2 million platelets per day for more than 32 days, the researchers said. Times of India, The (12/26)
2. FDA approves Roche Diagnostics blood-safety test
AABB SmartBrief | Dec 31, 2008
Roche Diagnostics has secured FDA approval for its cobas TaqScreen MPX Test. The nucleic acid test can be used to screen donated blood and tissue for HIV-2 and HIV-1 Group O, HIV-1 Group M RNA, hepatitis C RNA and hepatitis B DNA. United Press International (12/30) Google (12/30)
3. Grape-seed extract helps destroy leukemia cells, study finds
AABB SmartBrief | Jan 02, 2009
A U.S. study found that an extract from grape seeds helped eliminate 76% of leukemia cells in 24 hours without damaging normal cells. The extract triggered the JNK protein, which is involved in controlling apoptosis, the self-destruction of cancer cells. The findings suggest that the agent could be used to avert or treat blood diseases and other forms of cancer, the lead researcher said. BBC (12/31)
4. Changes to Form 990 requirements coming for 2009
AABB SmartBrief | Dec 30, 2008
Nonprofit organizations currently only need to fill out one section of Schedule H in the Form 990, but will be required to fill out all six sections in 2009. One expert recommends getting a head start by filling out all of the sections this year to better understand charity care policies and other inner workings of the financial system. He also says the new process will add costs to the process. HealthLeaders Magazine (12/2008)
5. 24 new medicines obtained FDA clearance in 2008
AABB SmartBrief | Jan 02, 2009
The FDA granted clearance for 24 new medications last year, increasing from 18 in 2007 despite delays in some application reviews. Among the new FDA-approved treatments are GlaxoSmithKline's Promacta and Amgen's Nplate, which are both designed to boost platelet counts. The agency aims to evaluate about 90% of proposals on time this year after it added and trained more than 800 workers for its new-drug unit in 2008, an FDA official said. Wall Street Journal, The (subscription required) (01/02)
6. Northfield Labs to get priority review for blood product
AABB SmartBrief | Dec 31, 2008
The FDA agreed to expedite its evaluation of PolyHeme, a blood substitute from Northfield Laboratories. The move is expected to benefit the company, which has about $15 million in cash to finance operations through May. The product is designed to treat patients "for whom blood transfusion is not an option," the firm's chairman and CEO said. Chicago Tribune (free registration) (12/30)
7. Study: More RNs would improve outcomes for hospital patients
AABB SmartBrief | Dec 30, 2008
Adding 133,000 registered nurses at U.S. acute care hospitals could save 5,900 lives each year, according to a study funded by the American Nurses Association. Researchers reviewed 28 staffing level studies and found higher RN ratios reduced mortality rates, cases of hospital-acquired pneumonia, lengths of stay, failure to rescue and nosocomial bloodstream infections. United Press International (12/29)
8. Reminder: Proposed 26th edition of Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services available for public comment
AABB SmartBrief | Jan 02, 2009
The proposed 26th edition of Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services is available for public comment. A summary of the significant changes and revisions reflected in this edition also has been posted to assist facilities in their review of the proposed requirements, which take effect Nov. 1. The comment period closes Jan. 21. Learn more or view the summary of significant changes and revisions.
9. ED staff are often MRSA carriers, studies show
AABB SmartBrief | Jan 02, 2009
Two new reports show emergency department staff often are MRSA carriers, which could put patients at risk of infection. In one study, nasal swabs from 105 ED staff showed 15% were positive for MRSA, including 12 nurses. A second study that included 255 workers found about 32% were positive for Staphylococcus aureus and 4.3% were positive for MRSA. Reuters (12/29)
10. FDA clears Ortho Clinical's Vitros 3600 blood analyzer
AABB SmartBrief | Dec 29, 2008
The FDA has granted 510(k) clearance for the Vitros 3600 blood-analysis machine from Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, a Johnson & Johnson unit. The product is designed to be easily incorporated into the company's enGen laboratory automation system and other devices under the Vitros brand, enabling users to alter modules and interfaces according to their needs. Pharmaceutical Business Review Online (12/26) Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (N.Y.) (12/23)
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Companies in the news
- Advanced Medical Optics Inc
- Amgen Inc.
- Arrow International Inc.
- Catholic Healthcare West
- Celgene Corporation
- Genentech Inc
- Gilead Sciences Inc
- Logistics
- MannKind
- MedCath Corp
- RealMed Corp
- Shelby County
- St. Jude Children Research Hospital
- Sutter Health
- Teleflex Inc