The Life of Blood at UAB
University of Alabama, Birmingham 

Advancements in the field of medicine are not new to the University of Alabama Hospital (UABH). It is therefore no surprise that UABH has a leading role in the field of blood management and transfusion safety. However, this was not always the case. UABH is the fourth largest blood consumer in the country, and after recognizing a 60% increase in blood use from 1996 to 2007, the leadership at UABH engaged Strategic Healthcare Group to establish a comprehensive blood management program that achieved nearly immediate results. Over the past 3 years UABH has seen a 26% patient volume-adjusted decrease in blood use, resulting in yearly blood acquisition cost savings of over $3,000,000. The entire culture around the use of blood transfusions has changed. UABH is currently involved in clinical research (NIH funding) to assess the impact of the storage lesion on microcirculation and immunomodulation.  Congratulations to the University of Alabama Hospital for all of their success! Read more.

COMPANY NEWS

Strategic Healthcare Group Nominated for 2011 TechPoint Mira Awa rd

Strategic Healthcare Group LLC is a finalist for the 2011 TechPoint Mira Award in the category of Health Care Information Technology (HIT). TechPoint’s Mira Awards recognize the achievements of Indiana’s outstanding technology performers and contributors. The HIT category recognizes organizations that have applied information technology to a healthcare system in an innovative way to enhance care and affordability. SHG is honored to be recognized for using information technology to transform the U.S. healthcare system, reduce medical errors, improve patient care and cut waste and red tape. Read the media release.


Inside Healthcare Spotlights Strategic Healthcare Group

The March 1, 2011 issue of Inside Healthcare shines its spotlight on SHG as the healthcare solution to Calm the Perfect Storm of blood management. Dr. Hannon explains how Blood Management University®, Blood Management Exchange®, and BloodStat® multidimensional analytics support and sustain his 4E™ change management process. Inside Healthcare is a monthly publication that covers technology, management, best practices, and finance/legal topics.


SHG Welcomes Carolyn Burns, MD, Medical Director Transfusion Services and Leslie Hensley, Data Analyst/Program Manager

As Medical Director of Transfusion Services at SHG, Carolyn Burns, MD, brings expertise as a Board Certified Pathologist (AP/CP), educator, author, and spokesperson for blood management.
Leslie Hensley, MPA, has joined SHG as a Data Analyst/Program Manager. Hensley holds a Master of Public Affairs with concentrations in Public Financial Administration and Comparative & International Affairs from Indiana University.

2011 Update to The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Blood Conservation Clinical Practice Guidelines

The revised guidelines contain new evidence published since the 2007 guidelines were released and identify 8 areas of major revision to the 61 recommendations in the original publication. At the highest level the recommendations cover the following areas:

• Preoperatively, use multimodality interventions to preserve red blood cell volume for patients who are at greatest risk for perioperative bleeding or transfusion;
• Intra-operatively, use drugs and blood derivatives for blood management and use minimally invasive procedures and multimodal perfusion interventions for blood conservation;
• Peri-operatively, use multidisciplinary blood management teams to limit transfusion, decrease bleeding, and maintain safe patient care.

Much has changed since the 2007 STS/SCA guidelines were published; clinicians who care for cardiovascular patients should familiarize themselves with the 2011 guideline recommendations and implement them as appropriate for your patients. Please watch Blood Management University® for an upcoming Live Learning Webinar on the 2011 STS/SCA Blood Conservation Guidelines. 

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BLOOD MANAGEMENT UNIVERSITY^® UPDATES

Blood Management University^® Live Learning Webinars 
All Programs Are CME Accredited

Clinical Management of Antiplatelet Agents and Direct Thrombin Inhibitors
Date: April 21, 2011 @ 1:00pm ET
Presented by: Scott Freeland, Pharm.D.
Cardiology and Transplant Services
St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital
Individual Registration | Group Registration

The 5 Rights of Safe Transfusion Practice
Date: May 5, 2011 @ 1:00pm ET
Presented by: Amelia Baffa, RN
Director, Nursing Practice
Strategic Healthcare Group, Indianapolis, IN
Individual Registration | Group Registration

Anemia Management in the Outpatient Setting: Part II
Date: May 19, 2011 @ 1:00pm ET
Presented by: Irwin Gross, MD
Medical Director, Transfusion Services
Eastern Maine Medical Center
Individual Registration | Group Registration



Upcoming Topics in 2011
June 2: Concepts on the Use of Blood Substitutes
June 16: Knowledge and Performance Gaps in Transfusion Safety

View 2011 Webinar Schedule >>

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