What's new?
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. | |
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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) |
|
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. |
|
The audit into an entire year's MTP activations at our eight largest DHB has now been released. |
|
CSL Behring has issued a Product Alert for RiaSTAP regarding changes to storage conditions and the need for visual inspection of the reconstituted RiaSTAP. |
|
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. |
|
New transfusion reaction guidelines are available from 4 Sept 2018. Recognise. Respond. Report. If you suspect a potential transfusion reaction: STOP immediately. |
|
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. |
Blood Bank is upgrading its software. There will be an outage 1-3 September 2017. Read more here. |
|
New videos, courses and games have been added under the rebranded Education section (was Fun, and still is fun!) |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
DHBs spend millions of dollars each year on this expensive medicine. But how are we doing at using it responsibly? |
|
Privigen is coming to the six DHBs where NZBS runs the Blood Bank. A quick How-To for this IntragamP replacement is now available. |
|
The October Blood Issues newsletter looks at the introduction of a new IVIG product into New Zealand - who will get it, how and why. |
|
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. |
|
Apps for warfarin reversal as well management of patients on dabigatran (Pradaxa) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto) - free and available for both iOS and Android! |
|
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. |