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What's new?
| Albumex changes are happening | CSL Behring, who fractionates our plasma donations into protein concentrates, is changing the way it makes blood products. Unfortunately, this means the small bottles (50mL) of Albumex4 have been discontinued. Albumex4 500mL will be replaced in time with Alburex5 500ml in the second half of 2024. Albumex20 100mL will be replaced by Alburex20 100ml, also in the second half of 2024. And unfortunately Albumex20 10mL will be discontinuted in October 2025.
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| Thrombotrol replaced by Kybernin |
CSL Behring, who fractionates our plasma donations into protein concentrates, is changing the way it makes blood products. Thrombotrol will be replaced by KyberninP.
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| Changes to IVIG |
CSL Behring, who manufactures IVIG out of our plasma donations, is changing the way it makes IVIG and other blood products. IntragamP will be replaced by PrivigenNZ and Evogam by HizentraNZ.
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| Immunoglobulin Online (IgO) approval |
Online application for approval of intravenous and subcutaneous immunoglobulin (IntragamP, Privigen, Evogam, Hizentra) is now live for Bay of Plenty as well as Auckland, Waikato, MidCentral, Capital & Coast, Canterbury and Southern DHBs. See the IVIG page for links.
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| Neonatal platelets in PAS |
From early 2021, neonatal platelets will be suspended in platelet additive solution (PAS), in the same way that adult platelets are currently provided. Resuspending in PAS replaces two thirds of the plasma with an electrolyte solution. This will potentially reduce allergic transfusion reactions as well as simplify processes and align us with England and Australia. Please see this letter from NZBS's Chief Medical Office.
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| New Blood Bank Request Form |
Following a successful pilot in Wellington and Palmerston North, the new version of the Blood Bank Request Form has started being rolled out nationally. See the sample and form page for an example.
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| Safe handling of blood for COVID-19 patients |
Special care must be taken when transfusing patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 as the blood cannot be returned to Blood Bank afterwards. Please read this advice.
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| Cryosupernatant Plasma |
Due to the lack of demand and evidence not showing any advantage over FFP in its use as replacement in Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP), NZBS will no longer provide Cryosupernatant Plasma (CSP) as replacement fluid in the treatment of TTP. Please read this letter for more information.
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| Neonatal platelets |
A process improvement in the manufacture of neonatal platelet components to improve platelet viability should have no impact on clinical practice other than a slightly larger variation in the typical volume of neonatal platelet units. Please read this letter for more information.
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| RiaSTAP (fibrinogen concentrate) now with WFI |
Please see the Product Alerts from CSL Behring regarding changed storage conditions for RiaSTAP (was room temperature, now refrigerated), as well as the new presentation which includes 50mL water for injection (WFI).
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| Updated transfusion reaction form |
The transfusion reaction form has been updated to make it easier to determine what investigations are needed for your patient. The form also has the management algorithm on the back. the forms are available from 12 Augist 2019.Recognise. Respond. Report. If you suspect a potential transfusion reaction: STOP immediately.
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| MTP Audit report |
The audit into an entire year's MTP activations at our eight largest DHB has now been released.
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| Product Alert for RiaSTAP |
CSL Behring has issued a Product Alert for RiaSTAP regarding changes to storage conditions and the need for visual inspection of the reconstituted RiaSTAP.
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| 2017 Haemovigilance report is out! |
The latest New Zealand haemovigilance report is out, looking back at transfusion reactions, risks and complications during the 2017 year. Recognise. Respond. Report. If you suspect a potential transfusion reaction: STOP immediately.
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| New transfusion reaction guidelines |
New transfusion reaction guidelines are available from 4 Sept 2018. Recognise. Respond. Report. If you suspect a potential transfusion reaction: STOP immediately.
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| The end of the MonoFIX era |
On the weekend of 17 March 2018, the last batch of New Zealand MonoFIX expired. All Haemophilia B patients are now receiving either recombinant Factor IX or, a very small number, Prothrombinex-VF. MonoFIX will not be manufactured any more for New Zealand patients.
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| New Blood Bank software |
Blood Bank is upgrading its software. There will be an outage 1-3 September 2017. Read more here.
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| New content under Education |
New videos, courses and games have been added under the rebranded Education section (was Fun, and still is fun!)
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| New British guideline for platelet transfusions |
The British Committee for Standards in haematology (BCSH) has released its updated guideline on platelet transfusions. This addresses many of the areas of uncertainty in previous guidelines.
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| New leaflet for intellectually disabled patients |
The fresh components leaflet has been reworked to meet the needs of intellectually disabled patients. Designed in conjunction with MidCentral's CNS Lead for intellectual disability, this should help inform your intellectually disabled patient and reduce his/her anxiety.
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| New Transfusion Medicine Handbook |
The Transfusion Medicine Handbook is now in its third edition! It has been extensively updated and new information added. Have a look at it online or request a copy through your Blood Bank.
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| Longer shelflife for platelets |
Platelets used to expire five days from donation. This has been extended to seven days with the implementation of 100% bacterial testing.
The pilot of the seven day platelets in the Auckland region has been successful and the rollout of seven day expiry
is now taking place nationally. Please see page 4 of the October Blood Issues for more information.
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| IntragamP audit report |
DHBs spend millions of dollars each year on this expensive medicine. But how are we doing at using it responsibly?
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| A new page - Privigen! |
Privigen is coming to the six DHBs where NZBS runs the Blood Bank. A quick How-To for this IntragamP replacement is now available.
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| A new IVIG product |
The October Blood Issues newsletter looks at the introduction of a new IVIG product into New Zealand - who will get it, how and why.
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| Anti-D in women with BMI > 30 (Expert Consensus) |
After the concerns raised about changes to the administration opf Anti-D in women with BMI > 30, the Expert Consensus Statement is an important and helpful read. A summary appears on page 4 of the October Blood Issues.
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| Apps! |
Apps for warfarin reversal as well management of patients on dabigatran (Pradaxa) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto) - free and available for both iOS and Android!
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| Parlez-vous français? |
The Fresh Components leaflet has been translated into five languages - Chinese, French, Korean, Samoan, Te Reo (Maori). It is available as a download only from the Consent page.
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