ADVANCE for Administrators of the Laboratory

A recent AABB SmartBrief noted that a U.S. study involving 422 transfusion patients found that those who received a transfusion of blood stored for 29 days or longer were twice as likely to develop pneumonia, sepsis and other serious infections compared with those who received stored blood kept for 28 days or less. Says the report, " Researchers stressed the need for additional studies to determine the optimal storage period for blood to prevent infections." Rules currently permit blood to be stored for 42 days.

I did some quick research on the CDC Web site regarding the 2008-09 flu season and effectiveness and availability of the latest vaccine. I thought the below excerpt was interesting (which is found in its entirety on the CDC Web site).
The flu vaccine protects against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. This year’s influenza vaccine contains three new influenza virus strains.
They are:
A/Brisbane/59/2007(H1N1)-like virus;
A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like virus;
B/Florida/4/2006-like virus.
The 2008-09 influenza vaccine can protect you from getting sick from these three viruses, or it can make your illness milder if you get a related but different influenza virus strain.

The ADVANCE editorial team just returned from the CAP conference in San Diego, and now heading to the AABB conference. We hope to see many of you there and look forward to the networking opportunities.

The first debate between Senators Obama and McCain is scheduled for this evening, though reports have surfaced that Sen. McCain may not make an appearance. If he is present and the debate goes on as planned, please share your comments on the healthcare issues raised and addressed by both political parties.

My daughter had her annual wellness visit yesterday. And while she complained of a belly ache the entire ride to the pediatrician's office and in the waiting room, it suddenly dissipated when she heard that she would not be receiving any shots during that visit. She did, however, receive the new (and early) flu nasal mist. It was painless...for her and me! The nurse instructed Taylor to "sniff like she's smelling a flower" once the mist was injected in each nostril, and just like that my daughter is better protected from the flu. She'll need to return in a month for a booster since she is under 9 years old, but if the next visit is as painless as the first, she won't be anxious at all. Advances in medicine continue to have an impact on everyone...young and old alike.