January 2013 Practice Update (part two)

2013-01-24

News from ASH

ASH Opposes NCAA Policy Requiring Screening for Sickle Cell Trait
Last weekend the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) approved a policy requiring Division III institutions to mandate screening for sickle cell trait on all incoming student athletes. This policy is an expansion of a screening policy in Division I and II. ASH believes the NCAA policy is medically groundless and is focused more on protecting the NCAA from legal liability than protecting the health of student-athletes. Read more.

News from the FDA

FDA Approves Octaplas to Treat Patients with Blood Clotting Disorders
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Octaplas, a pooled plasma (human) blood product for the replacement of clotting proteins (coagulation factors) in certain medical conditions where patients have insufficient levels. Clotting protein deficiencies can cause excessive bleeding or excessive clotting. Read more.

ASH Resources and Tools for Clinicians

Let ASH Help You with Medicare Reimbursement Coverage Issues; Submit Questions to the Society Today
ASH is pleased to assist physicians with any concerns regarding Medicare reimbursement issues and/or issues that you are having with your local Medicare Administrative Contractor. To ensure ASH staff has all of the appropriate information needed to assist with a request, please submit ASH's Medicare Reimbursement Review Process Form and the supporting documents listed to the ASH Government Relations Department.

Nominations are Now Being Accepted for the ASH Practice Partnership
ASH recently launched an exciting new group - the ASH Practice Partnership (APP) - to help increase the voice of practicing hematologists and elevate practice-related issues within the Society. ASH would like to have every state in the United States represented in the APP. The ideal candidate is an ASH member, who is interested in hematology care issues, improving quality of care, engaging in new health care delivery systems, and practice management issues. APP members receive a variety of benefits, which include: helping to shape ASH's policies and programs, networking opportunities, early access to ASH products such as pocket guides, and discounts for ASH programs. Submit a nomination.

Don't Miss Your Chance to Attend one of the Last 2013 Highlights of ASH in North America

  • January 25 - 26: Dallas, TX and New York, NY
  • February 1 - 2: Miami, FL and San Francisco, CA

As a member of the ASH practice community, ASH wants to remind you about the upcoming 2013 Highlights of ASH meetings that may be of interest to you or your colleagues. Attend a meeting to:

  • Examine advances in clinical and translational hematologic research
  • Evaluate the role of new diagnostic techniques and therapeutic approaches as applied to the care and management of people with blood diseases
  • Discuss new patient management and care strategies with leading faculty

Registration for these meetings is available onsite.

Earn CME Credits from Blood
ASH, in partnership with Medscape, provides monthly opportunities to earn Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits by completing an Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) accredited activity in Blood. This month's activity is titled "The Clinical Significance of NOTCH1 and SF3B1 Mutations in the UK LRF CLL4 Trial."

back to top