Technology to Boost Blood Supply
A new discovery by Professor Henrik Clausen at the University of Copenhagen might lessen the strain on the world's blood supply and make all types of blood compatible by turning them into type O.

Blood Test Without Blood Testing
A "bilirubin analyzer" has been developed to measure the bilirubin level in blood in a noninvasive way without piercing the skin.

Biochip Designed To Guarantee Safety In Blood Transfusions
A Basque biotechnology company has introduced a DNA biochip, known as BLOODchip, which greatly eliminates the risk of adverse reactions due to incompatibility in blood groups between donor and receptor in blood transfusions.

Hospitals are Using Automated Surveillance Systems to Track Infections and Thwart a New Generation of Superbugs
Now a handful of Veterans Affairs Department hospitals — including facilities in Atlanta, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh — are installing automated disease surveillance systems to help clinicians track infections.

FDA Clears Abbott Hepatitis Test
Diagnostic test maker Abbott Laboratories has announced that U.S. regulators have approved its laboratory test designed to screen blood for hepatitis C. 

Hospital E-Record Systems Pay for Themselves
Despite many hospitals' reluctance to make the investment, installing an electronic medical records system pays for itself in less than two years, a new study finds.

ABSTRACTS, REVIEWS AND SPECIAL REPORTS

Effects of Haemodialysis on Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cell Count
In this study, researchers hypothesized that a single haemodialysis session induces mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells and that cardiovascular risk factors may influence this process.

Double Filtration Plasmapheresis and Interferon Combination Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C Patients with Genotype 1 and High Viral Load
The efficacy and safety of double filtration plasmapheresis plus interferon combination therapy were compared with those of IFN therapy alone in 193 chronic hepatitis C patients having a high hepatitis C virus ribonucleic acid load of difficult-to-treat genotype 1b.

Apheresis Information Management System (AMIS)
Researcher have launched new web based apheresis software for donor and therapeutic apheresis procedures. This paper summarizes the characteristics of this new software.

Haemonetics Buys Infonale
Haemonetics Corp. has announced it has acquired Infonale Inc. for $1.3 million, plus contingent consideration based upon future operating performance.

OccuLogix Enters Into Discussions for Private Placement of Common Stock to Private Equity Group
OccuLogix, Inc. has announced that it has entered into discussions with JEGC OCC Corp. for the private placement of approximately $30 million of common stock at a price based upon the average trading price of OccuLogix' common stock at the time of purchase, subject to regulatory approval and to a minimum price of US$1.05 per share.

Dialysis Corporation of America Announces New Hospital Services Contract
Dialysis Corporation of America announced today the entering into of a three year contract for the provision of dialysis services to patients admitted to Maryland General Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.

Hospitals Form Alliance with Blood Bank
Two Baldwin County hospitals, along with all six in Mobile County, are teaming up with LifeSouth Community Blood Centers in what they say is an alliance that will strengthen the blood supply along the Alabama coast.

Abaxis Announces Distribution Agreement With McKesson Medical-Surgical
Piccolo xpress(TM) chemistry analyzer and medical reagent discs to be available for distribution from McKesson Medical-Surgical

Baxter Settles Suit on Therapy Patent
Baxter International Inc. has announced that it settled a patent-infringement suit with Talecris Biotherapeutics Inc. regarding a process involved in making plasma therapy for certain immune disorders.

Baxter Representative Joins Progenitor Cell Therapy Board of Managers
Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC (PCT) announced today the addition of Mr. Paul Estrem to its Board of Managers. Mr. Estrem will replace Mr. Victor W. Schmitt as Baxter’s representative on the PCT Board.

Legislation Calls for Healthcare IT Trusts
A bill introduced in the House on July 11 would create healthcare information technology trusts. 

AMERICAN RED CROSS (United States of America)

New Red Cross Chief
Major challenges confront the new head of the American Red Cross, ranging from blood-safety violations and a budget deficit to disaster-response flaws exposed by Hurricane Katrina.

CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES (United States of America)

Important Information for Providers/Suppliers Regarding National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) Errors, Using the NPI on Medicare Claims and 835 Remittance Advice Changes

Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Update

Decision Memo for Clinical Trial Policy (CAG-00071R)

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (United States of America)

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Medical Devices: Current Good Manufacturing Practice Quality System Regulations

Cleared Biological 510(k) Device Applications - Update

Approved Biological Premarket Approval (PMA) Device Applications - Update

Workshop: Licensure of Apheresis Blood Products - Agenda

NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE (United Kingdom)

Former Minister Raises Fear of HIV Blood Cover-up

RED CROSS BLOOD SERVICE (Australia)

Dengue Outbreak Forces Blood Donation Rejection
The dengue fever outbreak in Townsville, in north Queensland, has forced the Red Cross Blood Service to discard some blood components donated by people who spent time in areas affected by the disease.

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (China)

China Orders Video Monitoring of Blood Collection

JAPANESE RED CROSS (Japan)

Red Cross to consolidate blood centers nationwide

HEALTH DEPARTMENT (Japan)

Hong Kong Police Seize Fake Drugs, Blood Products

ASFA Educational Webinar -The New Approach to ASFA Indications for Therapeutic Apheresis

The second ASFA educational webinar of 2007 is fast approaching. Be sure to register today as space is limited!

The New Approach to ASFA Indications for Therapeutic Apheresis
July 25, 2007 at 12:00PM - 1:00PM (EST)

Presenters: Marisa Marques, MD - University of Alabama At Birmingham Hospital, AL and Zbigniew M. Szczepiorkowski - MD, PhD, FCAP, Darmouth- Hitchcock Medical Center, NH

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the review process undertaken by the ASFA Apheresis Applications Committee to create 4th Edition of the ASFA Special Issue
• Describe examples of diseases and their ASFA categories for therapeutic apheresis and to discuss rationale for assigned category
• Discuss possible future approaches in systematic review of indications for apheresis
  

Please visit the ASFA website for more information about the upcoming webinars! To register today, please visit http://www.apheresis.org/asfa_webinars/index.cfm.

Order the Fourth Special Issue of the Journal of Clinical Apheresis today!

The highlight of the Fourth Special Issue is the introduction of the comprehensive Fact Sheet format designed to summarize and condense the available medical literature pertaining to the treatment of a disease by apheresis into a succinct, practical, and evidence-based reference for apheresis medicine professionals.

The Fourth Special Issue is available for purchase through the ASFA website at http://www.apheresis.org/Educational_Materials/. Order your copy today!

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