Versiti among first in U.S. to offer pathogen reduced platelets

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

MILWAUKEE, Feb. 21, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Versiti, Inc., a national leader in blood health innovation, is among the first in the United States to provide pathogen reduced platelets that reduce the risk of infection and lead to safer transfusions for patients. Versiti produced its first pathogen reduced platelets in January 2018 at BloodCenter of Wisconsin, part of Versiti. The platelets were provided to one of Versiti’s hospital partners in Wisconsin.

Because platelet transfusions are on the rise due to an increase in trauma situations, transplantation, and in treatment of cancer patients, as well as to prevent and treat bleeding in patients who are thrombocytopenic, the importance of providing pathogen reduced platelets is becoming increasingly important. Versiti, which already utilizes multiple tests and every available technology to ensure the safety of the blood supply, took a leading role in the implementation of pathogen reduction technology.

“Versiti is dedicated to patient and transfusion safety, continually seeking novel technologies that improve the safety of the blood and blood components we distribute and provide to our hospital partners,” said Versiti Chief Medical Officer Thomas Abshire, M.D. “This technology helps advance transfusion medicine and creates improved outcomes for patients receiving platelet transfusions.”

This innovative technology reduces the risk for infection and disease transmission in transfused patients. By using a special additive, the technology inactivates bacteria, viruses and other pathogens as well as leukocytes that may be present in donated blood. The technology also preserves cell and protein quality, and may offer additional benefits, including platelet shelf-life extension, and negate the requirement for gamma-irradiation and testing for cytomegalovirus of platelets.

Versiti anticipates expanding production of pathogen reduced platelets at its BloodCenter of Wisconsin location, and at all Versiti locations in the near future, to serve additional hospitals throughout the state and across the country.

About Versiti
Versiti, a national leader in blood health innovation, was formed with the mission to improve the health of patients and enable the success of our health care partners nationally. We provide innovative, value added solutions in the fields of transfusion medicine, transplantation, and blood-related diseases to meet the needs of each of our customers. The collective efforts across Versiti result in improved patient outcomes, expanded access to care and cost efficiencies for health care systems nationwide. For more information, visit www.versiti.org.

Contact: Fay Spano
Fay.spano@versiti.org
414-937-6124

South Texas Blood & Tissue Center supplying blood to all hospitals treating wounded of Sutherland Springs

Monday, November 06, 2017

SAN ANTONIO – The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center (STBTC) has provided more than 200 units of blood to hospitals in South Texas treating Sunday’s shooting victims in Sutherland Springs.

STBTC, a subsidiary of nonprofit BioBridge Global, provided blood to Connally Memorial Medical Center in Floresville, the San Antonio Military Medical Center trauma center and University Hospital, where victims were being treated. The center is continuing to provide blood to these hospitals and more than 70 hospitals across the region.

“After a tragedy like this, people want to know what they can do to help. A concrete way to help is to donate blood to help replenish blood supplies so we’re ready to help the next patients who need blood, said Elizabeth Waltman, chief operating officer of the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center.
It is critical that a constant supply of blood is available for hospitals at all times – especially before tragedies occur. It can take up to 24 hours to test and process blood before it’s ready for transfusion. STBTC has to be prepared for the next need, no matter where it occurs.

Anyone with O-positive or O-negative blood is asked to donate, as supplies are low.

STBTC also is asking for community members to donate platelets. Platelets are the blood components that help promote clotting, and they are constantly in demand.

People can donate at any of the seven South Texas Blood & Tissue Center donor rooms or at mobile blood drives happening around South Texas today. They also can donate at SAMMC and at University Hospital. In addition, STBTC is arranging blood drives this week in the Floresville area and across South Texas.

Members of the community can schedule a blood donation by going to SouthTexasBlood.org or calling 210-731-5590. Information also is available on our Facebook page at Connect For Life.

The need for blood donations will remain high especially in the coming months, so donors are asked to remember to give as often as possible. STBTC serves more than 70 hospitals and clinics, including University Hospital.

All donors will need to have a photo ID. Anyone who is 16 years old and weighs at least 120 pounds (with parental consent form), or 17 years old and weighs at least 110 pounds and is in good general health may donate blood.

BloodCenter of Wisconsin launches breakthrough FDA approved leukemia test

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

BCW and Abbott Laboratories’ collaboration will help to advance personalized medicine by better identifying patients that could benefit from new FDA approved medication

MILWAUKEE, Aug. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — BloodCenter of Wisconsin’s Diagnostic Laboratories, part of Versiti, is the first to offer testing using Abbott Laboratories’ RealTime IDH2 assay that identifies specific gene mutations in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). BloodCenter’s breakthrough offering, which follows Abbott’s recent approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, helps to deliver new and more effective treatments to patients with relapsed and refractory AML.

BloodCenter’s test, IDH2 Abbott RealTime PCR, is more sensitive to detecting the IDH2 genetic mutation found in patients’ blood and bone marrow samples. The method detects single nucleotide variants (SNVs) coding nine IDH2 R140 and R172 mutations in patients’ DNA. With a five-day turnaround time, this test helps identify AML patients that could benefit from new treatments, including the recently FDA approved drug called IDHIFA®.

According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 21,000 people will be diagnosed with AML this year and more than 10,000 patients will die due to the disease. Between 8 percent and 19 percent of AML patients have IDH2 mutations.

“This new test is an exciting addition to BloodCenter’s molecular oncology diagnostics portfolio. Through our collaboration with Abbott, we can continue to help provide better treatment options and outcomes for AML patients,” said Dr. Matthew Anderson, M.D., Ph.D., VP and medical director of the Diagnostic Laboratories at BloodCenter of Wisconsin. “This test will help physicians to provide more customized treatment for patients, and is another example of how BloodCenter is advancing precision medicine in our areas of expertise.”

About BloodCenter of Wisconsin
BloodCenter of Wisconsin, part of Versiti, is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., that specializes in blood services, esoteric diagnostic testing, organ, tissue and stem cell donation, medical services and leading-edge research. We advance patient care by delivering life-saving solutions grounded in unparalleled medical and scientific expertise. The collective efforts of Versiti affiliates result in improved patient outcomes, expanded access to care, and cost efficiencies for healthcare systems nationwide. For more information, visit www.bcw.edu and www.versiti.org .

Contact: Matt Queen
414-937-6138
Matthew.Queen@bcw.edu

Hoxworth_DrCarey_Retirement

Thursday, August 10, 2017

(CINCINNATI – AUGUST 10, 2017) After more than three decades in the field of blood banking, Hoxworth Blood Center Medical Director, Patricia “Chris” Carey, MD, is calling it a career.

Dr. Carey began that career at Hoxworth Blood Center in 1983, serving a one-year fellowship in Transfusion Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and continued to quickly advance, serving in roles such as Associate Medical Director from 1984 – 1990 and her current position as Medical Director, which she assumed in 1997. In addition to her work at Hoxworth Blood Center, Dr. Carey is also an integral member of the College of Medicine faculty.  Carey serves as a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the College of Medicine, and Program Director of Fellowship in Transfusion/Blood Banking; as well as Transfusion Service Director at University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Read more click 2017_DrCareyRetirement

NEW YORK BLOOD CENTER JOINS BLOOD CENTERS OF AMERICA

Thursday, July 20, 2017

West Warwick, RI, July 20, 2017– Blood Centers of America (BCA) announced today that New York Blood Center (NYBC) has joined its network of blood and source plasma collection centers.
BCA is a national, member-owned network of over 50 independent blood centers – each of which has a singular focus of providing high-quality blood products for patients in their communities. As one of the largest independent community-based blood centers in the world, NYBC will expand BCA’s share of the total U.S. blood supply to nearly 40 percent.
“New York Blood Center’s commitment to quality blood products, innovative research and transfusion medicine leadership make them an ideal member of BCA,” said John Armitage, M.D., Chairman of BCA. “We are excited to add New York Blood Center’s unique services and expertise to our own, and collaborate to serve more communities across the country.”READ MORE>>