We are having discussions about how long units are good once crossmatched. We are using 72 hours for using the sample sample, but once the blood is crossmatched how long can we keep it on the shelf to be issued. We are currently holding units 48 hours past crossmatch if no blood products have been given.

Thanks,
John

We are having to adjust our billing to conform to CMS guidlines. Currently for an Irradiated Red Cell we bill for the Red Cell, then for the Irrdiation. CMS says that they only want one bundled charge, which is ok for the irradiated. This becomes more of an issue when we consider CMVnegative. We will be going to ISBT in summer 2011. Once we get there, ISBT does not have a "Product type" for ILRC CMV (Irradiated Leukoreduced Red Cells CMV negative. So how are other people handling these "bundle charges" on CMVN ISBT products.

Researchers from the NIH, FDA and Harvard Medical School on Monday announced they found MLV-related viruses, which are relate -More- 

Review the AABB recommendation made in June on chronic fatigue syndrome and blood donation. -More- 

Guidelines for Antibody Identification — Order Today!
The scope and depth of this Guideline will appeal to both facilities and technologists working with single antibody identification panel as well as multiple panels and special testing methods. Addressing many situations, it can be used as a training tool or for those who are familiar with the AABB Technical Manual. To read more and order today, click here.

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said they have created an artificial surface that could enable human- -More- 

A study found Clostridium difficile cases outnumbered cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by 25% in 28 commu -More- 

Looking for a better blood band?
Typenex's FlexiBlood system improves transfusion safety with barcodes to reduce transcription errors in the laboratory and at the bedside. If your facility isn't scanning barcodes yet, FlexiBlood has numerous benefits over other systems available today. See what blood bankers are saying about FlexiBlood and comparative test data by clicking here.

The idea of using text messaging to share health data has elicited mixed views from industry experts.  -More- 

The FDA approved a Rhode Island facility for Alexion Pharmaceuticals to produce Soliris, which treats paroxysmal nocturnal he -More- 

The FDA denied EpiCept's application to market Ceplene, a drug candidate for acute myeloid leukemia, because of concerns abou -More- 

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., concluded that President Barack Obama's executive order to boost funding for embryonic s -More- 

The U.S. government has pledged to donate $1 billion to Mozambique in support of the country's anti-AIDS efforts.  -More- 

Fifteen health care groups will receive about $4 million in federal grants to help advance telehealth initiatives, part of ro -More- 

Representatives from the FDA will present key features of the requirements of the biologics license application and investiga -More- 

ASSISTANT MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Blood Centers of the Pacific

Those who resolve to conquer or die, are rarely conquered. -More- 

I was informed today by my technical director that they, Immucor, were increasing reagent prices...

somewhere north of 50%

I'd appreciate any information anyone has regarding this antibody. We have an OB patient due in a couple months that has been determined to have an Anti-U. If she needs a transfusion, we are planning on giving Rh and K phenotype specific, but is there anything else that may help prevent complications/reaction? Blood warmer? Thank you!

I am looking to replace my upright Jewett Ultra Low freezer that we have had forever. We need a
-70C freezer preferably without a chart on the bottom of the unit. Any suggestions?

wondering how much support LIS gives on average to facilities out there; I am sure in the larger medical centers they pretty much do it all. To the viewers out there what tasks has your LIS team done and what have blood bank staff had to do.
Thanks

Hospitals in Lincolnshire, England, will be the first in the U.K.  -More- 

Do You Need Blood Products?
The National Blood Exchange (NBE) — a program of AABB — serves your facility's blood resource sharing needs. Speak with our knowledgeable staff and list or request blood products online through NBExchange. Contact a member of the NBE team at 1.800.458.9388 or visit us online at www.aabb.org > Programs and Services > National Blood Exchange.

Mix-ups of identical medical tubes have resulted in serious injuries and deaths in some hospitals, according to this New York -More-