2013 aabb annual report

AABBANNUALREPORTFiscal Year

2014

2FISCAL YEAR 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTSLetter from Leadership 3

AABB’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values 4

Membership Demographics 5

Your Association at Work in FY 2014 6

National Blood Foundation 12

AABB Board of Directors (2013 – 2014) 13

A Look Ahead: AABB’s FY 2015 Strategic Goals 14

FY 2014 Financial Highlights 15


LETTER FROM LEADERSHIP

The landscape of our industry changes continuously. The science and associated clinical innovations in health care are constantly shifting, and we adapt. Public health threats may emerge overnight, and we

adapt. Global issues, activities, and collaborations expand, and we adapt. But our fundamental mission remains the same: providing the effective and safe care for donors and patients.

In setting AABB’s agenda, our Board of Directors prepares your association to support members in substantial ways to achieve this mission, which capitalizes on our strengths as a medical association and a standards-setting and quality organization. Our strategic goals target cellular and regenerative therapies; patient blood management (PBM); blood banking and transfusion medicine; global initiatives; and public health.

AABB’s Center for Cellular Therapies (CCT) is a strong presence in cellular and regenerative medicine. The CCT has fostered community growth, increased the uptake of CT standards and accreditation, and fortified domestic and global alliances. AABB continues to be a part of global efforts to harmonize standards for hematopoietic cell transplantation and emerging cellular therapies (CT).

FY 2014 was a busy year in PBM. AABB partnered with the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation’s Choosing Wisely® campaign. Our five recommendations help inform clinicians about important blood management considerations when evaluating a patient’s need for transfusion of blood components. In partnership with the American Hospital Association (AHA), AABB developed an online self-assessment tool to assist hospitals in pinpointing their readiness for adopting a formal PBM program. We also developed PBM learning modules that offer a broad introduction to PBM and rich PBM knowledge across the patient and care spectrum.

Patient and donor safety are the heart of our transfusion medicine mission. The 2012 Donor Hemovigilance Report, published in FY 2014, not only describes the use and capabilities of a voluntary national donor hemovigilance system, it provides meaningful data on donor injuries and adverse reactions. Also in FY 2014, AABB took a leading role in providing crucial information about Ebola virus, Chikungunya virus, and Babesia through updated association bulletins and factsheets.

The AABB Center for Patient Safety saw substantial growth with the addition of more than 75 hospitals, joining to receive support with their internal hemovigilance activities, participate in targeted interventions and analyses, and receive quarterly benchmarking reports. In addition, AABB has partnered with international organizations and other stakeholder organizations to promote the harmonization of standards for medical products of human origin.

On the global front, the first Brazilian facility was accredited through AABB’s joint accreditation program with the Brazilian Association of Hematology, Hemotherapy, and Cellular Therapy (ABHH). In South Africa, AABB representatives trained the first group of assessors, as part of a joint program with the African Society for Blood Transfusion (AfSBT).

The National Blood Foundation (NBF) plays a critical role in fostering research to better patient safety and advance the science of transfusion medicine, CT and PBM. Charitable contributions from leading industry organizations support the Foundation’s mission. These resources fund leading-edge research. FY 2014 saw an increase in applications for studies in CT and PBM.

Much of our success is due to the professional volunteers who donate their time and expertise to guide committees, develop standards, assess facilities, educate other members, and mentor young professionals. Without their work, AABB could not be the preeminent knowledge-based organization focused on improving health through advancing the science and practice of CT and transfusion medicine.

AABB is focused on improving health through scientific advancement and the evidence-based practice of CT and transfusion medicine. Through our focus on the patient and donor; commitment to transparency, integrity, and excellence; and encouragement of innovation and consensus, AABB is dedicated to serving our members and mission in a quickly changing landscape. The projects documented in this report exhibit our commitment to the care and safety of patients and donors.

Sincerely,

Lynne Uhl, MD President

Miriam A. Markowitz Chief Executive Officer


AABB’S MISSION, VISION, AND CORE VALUES

MissionAABB advances the practice and standards of transfusion medicine and cellular therapies to optimize patient and donor care and safety.

VisionAABB will be the preeminent knowledge-based organization focused on improving health through advancing the science and practice of transfusion medicine and cellular therapies.

Core ValuesAABB will fulfill its mission and vision through adherence to its core values:

• the pursuit of excellence• focus on the patient and donor• integrity• transparency• consensus building• innovation

FACTS & FIGURES

ACCREDITATION STATISTICS

• AABB has approximately 700 active volunteer assessors

• AABB received deemed status for six years under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1998 (CLIA) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services; Standards for Immunohematology Reference Laboratories; Standards for Molecular Testing for Red Cell, Platelet, and Neutrophil Antigens; and Standards for Cellular Therapy Services

• AABB assessors come from 13 countries

• AABB’s accreditation program and assessor training program were reaccredited in FY 2013 for four years by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare

• AABB-accredited organizations are located in 29 countries


MEMBERSHIP DEMOGRAPHICS

FACTS & FIGURESMore than 25 countries (outside of the United States) were visited by AABB’s staff and assessors to provide AABB programs and services in FY 2014, including:

Angola

Argentina

Belgium

Brazil

Canada

China

Colombia

Cyprus

Dominican Republic

Greece

Hong Kong

India

Italy

Japan

Lesotho

Malawi

Mozambique

Rwanda

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

South Africa

Swaziland

Taiwan

Tanzania

Zimbabwe

STATISTICS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014 (OCT. 1, 2013 THROUGH SEP. 30, 2014)

AABB Individual Members 5,420 Health Care Professionals

1,294 Physicians

149 Residents

29 e-Members

298 Emeritus Members

AABB Institutional Members 885 Transfusion Services

207 Blood Centers

161 Hospital Blood Banks

163 Specialty Facilities

79 Affiliates/Corporate Affiliates

FACTS & FIGURES

TRANSFUSION STATISTICS

• Almost 500,000 articles were downloaded in 2014

• CME usage increased 28 percent between 2013 and 2014

• Almost half of the articles were from non-U.S. authors

• Special issue on Blood Donation (Published March 2014)


YOUR ASSOCIATION AT WORK IN FY 2014

STANDARDS & ACCREDITATION

Cellular Therapy Standards and PortalA leader in the development of voluntary standards, AABB has worked not only to revise and update the CT standards but to transform access to the standards. During FY 2014, CT experts and AABB staff worked to develop the 7th edition of Standards for Cellular Therapy Services with an expanded clinical activities section among other changes. AABB also has started developing an innovative online standards portal — a gateway to provide a new user-friendly way to access not only standards, but curated content, reference materials, and other information. The first set of standards available through this platform is the Standards for Cellular Therapy Services, 7th edition.

AccreditationIn May 2014, AABB was granted “deemed status” as an accrediting organization under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) for six years from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for activities covered in the CT Standards. By awarding this status, CMS has recognized that AABB’s requirements are equivalent to or more stringent than the applicable regulations of CLIA.

Participation in Committees on ISBT 128 Product Nomenclature for CT and Regenerative MedicineAABB has been a vital partner working with the International Council for Commonality in Blood Banking Automation (ICCBBA) to develop and implement ISBT 128 — the global information standard for the identification, labeling, and information transfer of medical products of human origin (MPHO) across international borders and disparate health care systems. Featuring a unique, highly flexible, and comprehensive coding method for every collected product, ISBT 128 provides international consistency to support the transfer, transfusion, or transplantation of MPHO, including those used for CT and regenerative medicine.

As the CT field expands, so does AABB’s commitment to supporting the community of CT professionals. As patients are offered a wide array of new treatments in various clinical settings both within the United States and abroad, it is important to establish best practices in providing high-quality, safe care. The AABB Center for Cellular Therapies (CCT) has been devoted to the development of programs, standards, accreditation, services, and tools that are critical to donor and patient care, product safety, and successful outcomes.

REGULATORY

AABB has advocated for clear regulatory pathways that promote rapid translation of research findings in the novel CT and regenerative medicine arenas to therapies that provide life-saving cures for chronic and terminal diseases in an ethical manner, without stifling innovation. The association has actively engaged with federal agencies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other interested organizations to promote a policy and regulatory agenda that fosters rapid progress in the novel therapies field and avoids overly burdensome regulation of existing cellular products. In FY 2014, AABB collected comments from members and submitted responses on FDA draft guidance related to products from adipose tissue; minimal manipulation of human cells, tissues, and cellular- and tissue-based products; and the design of early phase clinical trials of cellular and gene therapy products. AABB also has represented the CT community by participating in or attending multiple federal advisory committee meetings.

During FY 2014, AABB made great strides to further enhance our mission, especially with regard to key strategic initiatives — cellular therapies (CT); patient blood management (PBM); blood banking and transfusion medicine; international focus; and community and health impact. These initiatives are designed to ensure that members continue to have access to education and support services that help them provide optimal quality care to patients and donors. Our

standards strive to support evidence-based medicine, best practices, and safety advancements.

AABB Center for Cellular Therapies



EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS

Annual International Cord Blood SymposiumThe AABB CCT partnered with the Cord Blood Forum to present the 12th annual International Cord Blood Symposium (ICBS), which brought together all of the umbilical cord blood-related fields of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, banking, and potential in regenerative medicine together in one interactive three-day conference. AABB worked to offer the highest level of continuing medical education. The exceptional scientific program included topics ranging from regulatory and cost considerations of cord blood products to appropriate utilization of cord blood transplantation to selecting optimal donors.

WebinarsAABB expanded its professional development offerings with 11 new CT webinars aired throughout the year. Topics ranged from the basic — key elements of cord blood processing — to the highly technical — the efficient generation of cytotoxic T cells. AABB webinars also took users to the leading edge of the science and regulation of regenerative medicine, as with 3D-printed CT products. The recorded presentations are archived and serve as valuable resources.

HARMONIZATION OF STANDARDS

Collaborating with other Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Emerging Cellular Therapies Standards-Setting OrganizationsAABB has worked continuously to advocate for domestic and international adoption of novel CT standards as a means of helping to protect patient health and ensuring optimal outcomes. The association has partnered with international organizations and other stakeholder organizations to promote harmonization of standards for CT and regenerative medicine. AABB also has participated in CT conferences and symposia, such as the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS)–Americas annual conference and exposition, the World Stem Cell Summit, and the ASBMT–CIBMTR (American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation–Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research) Tandem Meetings.

FACTS & FIGURES

Cellular Therapy Section Members by Credentials

Cellular Therapy Section Members by Location

OTHER 260 (56%) DOMESTIC

377 (82%)

INTERNATIONAL 85 (18%)

PhD 33 (7%)

MD 67 (15%)

NONE PROVIDED 102 (22%)

TOTAL CELLULAR THERAPY MEMBERS 462 TOTAL CELLULAR THERAPY MEMBERS 462



PBM LEARNING MODULES

As part of AABB’s expanding efforts to promote evidence-based PBM practices, four learning modules were developed and offered to members and others for purchase in FY 2014. These modules, which are designed for classroom or individual study, are intended to educate clinicians about all aspects of PBM. The first four of eight planned modules offer an introduction to PBM and address recognizing when transfusions are helpful, intraoperative blood conservation, transfusion strategies and surgical techniques, and PBM for coagulopathy. The next four modules, available in FY 2015, address optimizing transfusions and managing preoperative anemia, PBM in the critical care setting, and informed consent.

FIRST EDITION OF STANDARDS FOR A PBM PROGRAM

In FY 2014, AABB published the first edition of Standards for a Patient Blood Management Program. These standards help frame a PBM program that encompasses all aspects of patient evaluation and clinical management surrounding the decision-making process for potential transfusion, including the application of appropriate indications, minimization of blood loss, and optimization of patient red blood cell mass. This comprehensive resource focuses on maintaining and enhancing the quality of care for patients who may require transfusions.

CHOOSING WISELY

AABB developed and released a list of five recommendations to assist clinicians in determining whether a patient requires a transfusion of blood or blood components. The list of evidence-based PBM recommendations was developed as part of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation’s Choosing Wisely® campaign and is intended to promote appropriate PBM. The recommendations include cautioning against transfusing more units than absolutely necessary and performing serial blood counts on clinically stable patients.

HOSPITAL READINESS SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOL

In partnership with the American Hospital Association’s Appropriate Uses of Medical Resources initiative, AABB developed an online self-assessment tool to assist hospitals in pinpointing their readiness for adopting a formal PBM program. Completing the self-assessment results in a set of recommendations about next steps for PBM program implementation and resources. This PBM tool is part of the AHA’s initiative to promote the appropriate use of medical resources.

Patient Blood Management (PBM)

Carson JL, Grossman BJ, Kleinman S, Tinmouth AT, Marques MB, Fung MK, Holcomb JB, Illoh O, Kaplan LJ, Katz LM, Rao SV, Roback JD, Shander A,

Tobian AA, Weinstein R, Swinton McLaughlin LG, Djulbegovic B; Clinical Transfusion Medicine Committee of the AABB. Red blood cell transfusion:

a clinical practice guideline from the AABB. Ann Intern Med. 2012 Jul 3;157(1):49–58.

AABB. Guidelines for patient blood management and blood utilization. Bethesda (MD): AABB; 2011. 52 p.

Lin DM, Lin ES, Tran MH. Efficacy and safety of erythropoietin and intravenous iron in perioperative blood management: a systematic review.

Transfus Med Rev. 2013 Oct;27(4):221–34.

Friedman AJ, Chen Z, Ford P, Johnson CA, Lopez AM, Shander A, Waters JH, van Wyck D. Iron deficiency anemia in women across the life span.

J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2012 Dec;21(12):1282–9.

Holbrook A, Schulman S, Witt DM, Vandvik PO, Fish J, Kovacs MJ, Svensson PJ, Veenstra DL, Crowther M, Guyatt GH; American College of Chest Physicians.

Evidence-based management of anticoagulant therapy: antithrombotic therapy and prevention of thrombosis, 9th ed:

American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest. 2012 Feb;141(2 Suppl):e152S–84S.

Napolitano LM, Kurek S, Luchette FA, Corwin HL, Barie PS, Tisherman SA, Hebert PC, Anderson GL, Bard MR, Bromberg W, Chiu WC, Cipolle MD,

Clancy KD, Diebel L, Hoff WS, Hughes KM, Munshi I, Nayduch D, Sandhu R, Yelon JA; American College of Critical Care Medicine of the Society of

Critical Care Medicine; Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Practice Management Workgroup. Clinical practice guideline: red blood cell

transfusion in adult trauma and critical care. Crit Care Med. 2009 Dec;37(12):3124–57.

The Chief Medical Officer’s National Blood Transfusion Committee (UK). The appropriate use of group O RhD negative red cells.

Manchester (UK): National Health Service; 2008. 4 p.

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How This List Was Created

Recommendations were drafted by a work group led by AABB Director Jeannie Callum, MD. Ten draft statements were edited by the AABB Clinical Transfusion

Medicine Committee, chaired by Aaron Tobian, MD. In order to identify the top five statements, a random sampling of AABB physician members working in the

field of transfusion medicine in hospitals, as well as all members of AABB’s Clinical Transfusion Medicine Committee, were asked to rate the 10 draft statements.

On a Likert scale, participants were asked to “indicate the importance of including each of the following transfusion-related statements in the Choosing Wisely

campaign promoting the appropriate use of health care resources.” The final top five statements were approved by the AABB Board of Directors.

AABB’s disclosure and conflict of interest policy can be found at www.aabb.org.

Sources

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The mission of the ABIM Foundation is to advance

medical professionalism to improve the health

care system. We achieve this by collaborating with

physicians and physician leaders, medical trainees,

health care delivery systems, payers, policymakers,

consumer organizations and patients to foster a shared

understanding of professionalism and how they can

adopt the tenets of professionalism in practice.

AABB is a not-for-profit association representing

individuals and institutions involved in the field of

transfusion medicine and cellular therapies. The

association is committed to improving health by

delivering standards, accreditation and professional

educational programs that focus on optimizing patient

and donor care and safety. AABB membership consists

of approximately 1,800 institutions and 8,000 professional

individuals, including roughly 1,600 physicians.

To learn more about the AABB, visit www.aabb.org.

®

About the ABIM Foundation

About the AABB

For more information or to see other lists of Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question, visit www.choosingwisely.org.

To learn more about the ABIM Foundation, visit www.abimfoundation.org.

Don’t transfuse more units of blood than absolutely necessary.

Each unit of blood carries risks. A restrictive threshold (7.0-8.0g/dL) should be used for the vast majority of hospitalized, stable patients without evidence

of inadequate tissue oxygenation (evidence supports a threshold of 8.0g/dL in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease). Transfusion decisions

should be influenced by symptoms and hemoglobin concentration. Single unit red cell transfusions should be the standard for non-bleeding, hospitalized

patients. Additional units should only be prescribed after re-assessment of the patient and their hemoglobin value.

Don’t transfuse red blood cells for iron deficiency without

hemodynamic instability.

Blood transfusion has become a routine medical response despite cheaper and safer alternatives in some settings. Pre-operative patients with iron

deficiency and patients with chronic iron deficiency without hemodynamic instability (even with low hemoglobin levels) should be given oral and/or

intravenous iron.

Don’t routinely use blood products to reverse warfarin.

Patients requiring reversal of warfarin can often be reversed with vitamin K alone. Prothrombin complex concentrates or plasma should only be

used for patients with serious bleeding or requiring emergency surgery.

Don’t perform serial blood counts on clinically stable patients.

Transfusion of red blood cells or platelets should be based on the first laboratory value of the day unless the patient is bleeding or otherwise

unstable. Multiple blood draws to recheck whether a patient’s parameter has fallen below the transfusion threshold (or unnecessary blood draws

for other laboratory tests) can lead to excessive phlebotomy and unnecessary transfusions.

Don’t transfuse O negative blood except to O negative patients and in

emergencies for women of child bearing potential with unknown blood group.

O negative blood units are in chronic short supply due in part to overutilization for patients who are not O negative. O negative red blood cells should

be restricted to: (1) O negative patients; or (2) women of childbearing potential with unknown blood group who require emergency transfusion before

blood group testing can be performed.

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These items are provided solely for informational purposes and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a medical professional. Patients with any specific questions about the items

on this list or their individual situation should consult their physician.

Five Things Physicians

and Patients Should Question

5

4

Released April 24, 2014

AABB has contributed to advancing PBM. In FY 2014, new partnerships, programs, educational materials, and standards have made it easier than before for members to address PBM interventions and provide high-quality, evidence-based care to patients who might need transfusions. AABB’s commitment to PBM has grown even stronger.



AABB has strengthened and expanded our historic mission to help safeguard the blood supply. The development of transfusion medicine guidelines and standards, infectious disease education materials and recommendations, and donor history questionnaires and reports demonstrate our continued commitment.

DONOR SAFETY

AABB significantly added to the donor safety arena with the publication of the “2012 AABB Donor Hemovigilance Report,” which provided valuable surveillance data from five blood centers on almost 1.2 million individual donations. This first annual report not only describes the use and capabilities of a voluntary national donor hemovigilance system, it sheds light on donor injuries and adverse reactions, the prevention of which can make real improvement in the care of donors possible. Continuing our leadership role in the development of model questionnaires for blood collection facilities, AABB’s revised malaria deferral flowcharts were deemed acceptable by the FDA for use in screening donors of blood and blood components for risk of malaria.

GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS

Recognizing a need, AABB commissioned and funded the development of an evidence-based clinical practice guideline on the appropriate use of platelet transfusions. In FY 2014, an expert panel, which included 15 members of the AABB Clinical Transfusion Medicine Committee, continued the analysis of relevant clinical trial data and observational studies to synthesize a set of recommendations. AABB also released the 29th edition of the Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services. This edition features new standards on transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), follow-up information in donor qualification, component storage, and expanded monitoring standards.

INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Although the blood supply is safer than it has ever been, the emergence and spread of new infectious diseases poses an ever-present threat to blood safety. In FY 2014, AABB took a leading role in providing crucial information about Ebola virus, Chikungunya virus, and Babesia through updated association bulletins and factsheets. The AABB West Nile Virus Biovigilance Network enhanced disease surveillance by adding automated alerts about blood donors with suspected West Nile virus infections.

Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine

2012 AABB United States

Donor Hemovigilance Report



In FY 2014, AABB continued to expand its global reach through technical assistance and accreditation programs. The association strives to effectively provide relevant resources and services in CT, blood banking, and transfusion medicine. Collaboration with international transfusion medicine and CT organizations has resulted in joint accreditation programs, technical support, and educational and training opportunities. Through these activities, AABB provides value to international professionals, institutions, and government agencies.

BRAZIL

In South America, AABB has continued to work with the Brazilian Association of Hematology, Hemotherapy and Cellular Therapy (ABHH) to jointly accredit facilities in the country. AABB/ABHH-accredited facilities are assessed using the ABHH Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion by teams of assessors from both organizations. In support of this collaboration, AABB published blood banking and CT standards in Portuguese in FY 2014.

AFRICA

Several African countries were the focus of our International Technical Assistance program in FY 2014. This work — funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and managed by the association’s Global Services Division — involved training, development of clinical guidelines and country-specific standards, and outreach to ministries of health. The focus of AABB’s technical assistance work in Africa was the implementation of quality management systems through a project management methodology, under international standards. The association has collaborated with the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion (AfSBT) to create standards and an accreditation framework specifically for the African continent. One notable achievement was the first training session conducted by AABB for assessors. AABB’s efforts have yielded measurable improvements in the areas of donor recruitment, screening, collection, testing, storage, and distribution systems, as well as in the practice of transfusion medicine.

ASIA

On September 13, 2014, the leadership of AABB and the Asia Association for Transfusion Medicine (AATM) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting common goals in CT and transfusion medicine. The exclusive collaboration — headed by a joint leadership team — will increase adoption and dissemination of blood and CT standards in Asia, as well as increase accreditation programs in these disciplines. AABB also has provided speakers at the AATM annual conference, further strengthening the ties between the two organizations. AABB also has granted accreditation to cord blood banks in China, the most populous nation on earth, and will continue to collaborate with the Chinese Society for Blood Transfusion to advance education and leadership in blood services.

International Focus

• Angola

• Lesotho

• Malawi

• Mozambique

• Rwanda

• Swaziland

• Tanzania

AABB IN AFRICAN NATIONS IN FY 2014



PATIENT AND DONOR HEMOVIGILANCE

AABB Center for Patient SafetyThe AABB Center for Patient Safety collects and analyzes data on adverse reactions and incidents related to blood transfusion. In FY 2014, the center saw substantial growth, with more than 25 hospitals joining to receive support with their internal hemovigilance activities and participate in targeted interventions and analyses. By becoming a member, a hospital receives confidential quarterly benchmarking reports that allow it to compare key patient safety markers — incidents related to the transfusion process, adverse transfusion reactions, and component waste.

World Health Organization’s NOTIFY ProjectAABB is an active participant in the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) NOTIFY Project, a global interface created jointly by WHO and the Italian National Transplant Centre, which promotes global vigilance and surveillance of MPHO. The NOTIFY project library is a database of adverse reactions resulting from the procurement, processing, and clinical application of MPHO. In FY 2014, blood was included in the global database and AABB staff are leading the working group that has been developing the new taxonomy and working methods for the NOTIFY Library.

AABB has been a leading voice in advocating government and public health policies, and working with a broad range of stakeholder organizations to support the highest possible care of blood and stem cell donors and patients requiring transfusion or CT. Through engagement with regulatory agencies, professional organizations, and other bodies across the globe, AABB supports the harmonization of international regulatory requirements.

ADVOCACY

AABB promotes federal regulatory and health care policies to improve donor and patient care without hindering innovation or blood and CT product availability. In FY 2014, AABB provided comments to FDA on behalf of members on a range of issues, including donor screening tests for Treponema pallidum infection; nucleic acid tests of donors for West Nile virus; medical device data systems; and medical image storage devices and communications.

In FY 2014, AABB collected comments from members on FDA draft guidance related to products from adipose tissue; minimal manipulation of human cells, tissues, and cellular- and tissue-based products; and the design of early phase clinical trials of cellular- and gene-therapy products. AABB has represented the CT and blood banking communities by participating in or attending federal advisory committee meetings. The association also has collaborated with like-minded organizations to issue joint statements to regulatory agencies and federal committees on changes to apheresis plasma regulations, screening tests and other assays, and deferrals for screening test results for antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi.

International Harmonization of Adverse Event DefinitionsAABB has supported the harmonization of international transfusion medicine terminology by working with regulatory and professional organizations across the globe. In particular, AABB has collaborated on standardization of blood donor adverse event definitions with the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) 128 Haemovigilance Working Party to help improve donor safety worldwide.

Community and Health Impact


NATIONAL BLOOD FOUNDATION

The NBF welcomed nine new board members to the Board of Trustees. The NBF Board of Trustees is committed to directing the program’s initiatives to better patient safety and advance the science of transfusion medicine, CT, and PBM. Charitable contributions from leading industry organizations totaled nearly $1 million in FY 2014. In addition, NBF special events profited almost $80,000 to support the Foundation’s mission.

As the foundation’s membership expands, so do the scientific areas it supports. FY 2014 saw an increase in applications for studies in CT and PBM. Eight grant applications were received for PBM studies — those related to evidence-based, multidisciplinary approaches for optimizing the care of patients who might need a transfusion.

For more information on the NBF, individuals are invited to visit www.aabb.org/nbf or contact a representative at [email protected] or +1.301.215.6552.

As part of its mission to improve health, AABB supports research through its National Blood Foundation (NBF) program. Established in 1983, the NBF has distributed more than $8 million to approximately 200 early

career scientists. In FY 2014, the NBF awarded six research grants to early career investigators involved in transfusion medicine, CT, and PBM. Funds are raised annually from corporations, blood centers, foundations, and individuals.

NBF-funded research is published in some of the most respected medical and scientific journals in the world. In FY 2014, one NBF grantee published a study of a novel method for mobilizing hematopoietic stem cells in Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, the journal of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. In addition to fostering scientific advances, the NBF brings together leaders in the transfusion medicine and CT communities — through its annual Leadership Forum and as part of AABB/NBF’s CEO Summit — to address critical issues affecting the field.

FACTS & FIGURES

2014 Applications Received

U.S. vs. Non-U.S. Applications Received

6 (13%)

8 (17%) 19 (40%)

14 (30%) U.S. 40 (85%)

NON-US 7 (15%)

TRANSFUSION MEDICINE

PATIENT BLOOD MANAGEMENT

CELLULAR THERAPIES INFECTIOUS DISEASE


AABB BOARD OF DIRECTORS2013 – 2014

AT-LARGE DIRECTORSPosition 1Donald Berglund, MHA, FACHEInnovative Blood ResourcesSt. Paul, Minn.

Position 2Michael F. Murphy, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, FFPathNational Blood ServiceJohn Radcliffe HospitalUnited Kingdom

Position 3Beth Shaz, MDNew York Blood CenterNew York, N.Y.

Position 4Susan Johnson, MSTM, MT(ASCP)SBBBloodCenter of Wisconsin Inc.Milwaukee, Wis.

Position 5Dan Waxman, MDIndiana Blood CenterIndianapolis, Ind.

Position 6Jeannie Callum, MD, FRCPC, CTBSSunnybrook Health Sciences CenterDepartment of Pathology/Blood BankToronto, OntarioCanada

Position 7Mary Beth Bassett, BS, MT(ASCP)Blood Systems, Inc.Scottsdale, Ariz.

Position 8Mary O’Neill, MDAmerican Red Cross Blood ServicesDedham, Mass.

Position 9Nora Hirschler, MDBlood Centers of the PacificSan Francisco, Calif.

Position 10David McKenna, Jr., MDUniversity of MinnesotaMolecular and Cellular TherapeuticsSt. Paul, Minn.

PRESIDENTGraham Sher, MD, PhDCanadian Blood ServicesOttawa, OntarioCanada

PAST PRESIDENTSusan L. Stramer, PhDAmerican Red CrossGaithersburg, Md.

PRESIDENT-ELECTLynne Uhl, MDBeth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBoston, Mass.

VICE PRESIDENTDonna M. Regan, MT(ASCP) SBB – SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s HospitalSt. Louis, Mo.

SECRETARYZbigniew M. Szczepiorkowski, MD, PhD, FCAPDartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital CenterLebanon, N.H.

TREASURER (FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR)Nora Hirschler, MDBlood Centers of the PacificSan Francisco, Calif.(Also served as At-Large Director, Position 9)

TRANSFUSION MEDICINE SECTION REPRESENTATIVE(DIRECTOR)Steven Sloan, MD, PhDBoston Children’s HospitalBoston, Mass.

CELLULAR THERAPIES SECTION REPRESENTATIVE(DIRECTOR)Doug Padley, MT(ASCP)Mayo ClinicRochester, Minn.

APPOINTED DIRECTORMary Laughlin, MDCleveland Cord Blood CenterCleveland, Ohio

Jonathan Waters, MDMagee-Womens Hospital of UPMCPittsburgh, Pa.

EX-OFFICO DIRECTORMiriam A. MarkowitzCEO – AABBBethesda, Md.


A LOOK AHEADAABB’S FY 2015 STRATEGIC GOALS

AABB CENTER FOR CELLULAR THERAPIES

Position AABB as the leading professional association for standards setting, accreditation and quality management as well as the premier resource for education and regulatory information in cellular and regenerative therapies.

COMMUNITY AND HEALTH IMPACT

Position AABB to enhance its value to members and the broader community through impactful research, outcomes programs, and advocacy to improve donor and patient care.

BLOOD BANKING AND TRANSFUSION MEDICINE

AABB, through ongoing innovation, will retain its premier quality management brand with respect to standards setting, accreditation, education, regulatory and advocacy for blood banking and transfusion medicine.

INTERNATIONAL FOCUS

Maximize AABB’s value to international professionals, institutions and government agencies by effectively providing relevant resources and services in cellular therapies, blood banking and transfusion medicine.

PATIENT BLOOD MANAGEMENT (PBM)

Position AABB as the leader in PBM for clinical professionals, health care institutions, and the broader health sector through the development of PBM-specific offerings (e.g., standards, accreditation, education, consulting, advocacy).

H ealth care, specifically in the United States, is undergoing historic change. To uphold the association’s rich legacy and ensure its relevance for years to come, the AABB Board of Directors focused on mapping AABB’s strategic direction throughout FY 2014 — recognizing that AABB must remain agile and anticipate both the opportunities and challenges facing its membership.

The AABB Board of Directors identified priorities and developed goal statements to capture this strategy. These goals align with the association’s mission and pursuit of its vision.

FACTS & FIGURES

AABB PUBLICATION STATISTICS:

• 15 new or “coming soon” titles were added to AABB’s offerings

• AABB books are read in at least 91 countries around the world

• More than 170 digital downloads are available


FY 2014 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

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2013 aabb annual report

Documents