Some Significant Retirements

This post is not directly related to hemostasis, but I want to highlight the retirements of three esteemed colleagues, Bernadette F. (Bunny) Rodak, MS MT (ASCP) SH, Professor of the Clinical Laboratory Science Program, Jacqueline H. Carr, MS MT (ASCP) Laboratory Manager, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, both at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis; and Carol McCoy, PhD, MLS (ASCP) CM, Director of the Medical Laboratory Science Program at Fairview Health Services, St Paul, MN. Bunny and Jackie are the co-authors of the iconic Clinical Hematology Atlas, published by Elsevier, and now in its 4th edition, 2013. Bunny and I have also served as co-editors and authors of Hematology, Clinical Principles and Applications, also published by Elsevier, now in its 4th edition, 2012, and preparing for its 5th edition. I have also had the opportunity to work together with Carol as co-members of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, where we served together on the Hematology/Hemostasis Scientific Assembly, as editors of the ASCLS Journal, Clinical Laboratory Science, and most recently as trustees for the ASCLS Education and Research Fund, Inc, a source of graduate student and member research grants. I look forward to continued professional initiatives with Bunny, Carol, and Jackie, my colleagues and friends.

Douglas Triplett, MD

Frank Toffoloni, Precision BioLogic Inc, called yesterday with the news that Dr. Douglas Triplett of Muncie, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2013, following an extended illness. Dr. Triplett was a mentor to all who specialize in hemostasis and a primary influence on diagnostic approaches to bleeding and clotting disorders. We still keep his 1982 textbook, Laboratory Evaluation of Coagulation on our shelves for ready reference. We’ve missed his inspiration at the Midwest Hemostasis meetings since his retirement in 2004. His death notice, published Monday, April 22, in the Muncie StarPress, is attached below.

Dr. Triplett’s family requests that memorial gifts be made to support scholarships for medical students from Delaware County, Indiana. Checks should be made payable to the IU Foundation–Douglas A. Triplett Medical Scholarship, IU School of Medicine, Box 660245, Indianapolis, IN 46266-0245 or to the Indiana Alzheimer’s Disease Fund, Account number 38-MPAT-080, Box 660245, Indianapolis, IN 46266-0245.

D. Triplett Death Notice 4-20-13

Medical Laboratory Professionals Week Apr 22–26

Congratulations and best wishes to my fellow medical laboratory professionals as we celebrate our profession worldwide, April 22–26, 2013. In honor of our week, I have posted a new audio module, Hemostasis Case Studies, Module 35. Laboratory professionals get results.

Stephen Duff to Innovacorp

For those who haven’t already heard, Steve Duff, a highly valued member of the Precision BioLogic Inc family, was recruited for and has accepted a role as President and CEO of Innovacorp, a government-owned corporation that helps young Nova Scotia technology companies reach their commercial potential through investment and support. Steve has been on the board of Innovacorp for several years and will begin this new position on April 1, 2013.

Read more »

Extended Apixaban Therapy Reduces Recurrent DVT

According the results of a randomized control trial involving almost 2500 patients reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, twelve months of treatment with apixaban (Eliquis, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer) at either of two dosages, given after six to 12 months of anticoagulation to treat venous thromboembolism (VTE), significantly lowered the risk of recurrent VTE compared with placebo. See the NEJM article below.

NEJM Agnelli 12.8.12

Dabigatran as Safe as Warfarin

Dr Sam Schulman of McMaster University reported on a meta-analysis,  Majeed A, Hwang HG, Brueckmann M, et al. Management and outcomes of major bleeding on dabigatran or warfarin,  at the American Society of Hematology annual meeting on Saturday, December 8, 2012. They found that, “The prognosis after a major bleed on dabigatran was, despite lack of a specific antidote, better than with warfarin. There was also a shorter stay in intensive care with dabigatran compared to warfarin.” Their findings appear to contradict claims made in numerous lawsuits against manufacturer Boehringer Ingelheim.

AC Forum Newsletter

Click here to see the Anticoagulation Forum December newsletter with information on the Forum’s annual meeting in Phoenix, May 9–11 and their new Centers of Excellence web site. There is also a review describing recent studies that illustrate no effect of cranberry products on Coumadin therapy.

FDA Requires Precise Heparin Label

Elaine Benoit, Precision BioLogic, sent an FDA alert regarding a heparin label change. “This label change will require manufacturers of Heparin Lock Flush Solution, USP and Heparin Sodium Injection, USP to clearly state the strength of the entire container of the medication followed by how much of the medication is in 1 milliliter (mL). These modifications will eliminate the need for health care professionals to calculate the total amount of heparin medication in a product containing more than 1 mL, thereby reducing the risk of miscalculations that may result in medication errors.”