LENEXA, KS December 22, 2009 - Continuing its diligent focus on patient safety,
Mediware Information Systems, Inc.
(Nasdaq: MEDW) has announced the availability of a new system interface
that will enable customers using the Company’s LifeTrak® blood donor
management software to electronically transmit blood donation data to
the U.S. Biovigilance Network. The network is a unique collaboration
between the federal government and organizations involved in blood
collection, transfusion, and tissue and organ transplantation medicine
to share information and ideas to improve the overall safety of these
processes. An inaugural supporter of the program, Mediware demonstrated
its interface capabilities during the AABB’s annual conference held
this past October.
Development of the U.S. Biovigilance Network was initiated to provide
core metrics for transfusion reactions and the use of biologics in
patient care. The network’s goal is to collect comprehensive
information from all suppliers and users of these biologic materials
and enable detailed analysis that will ultimately help reduce adverse
events associated with blood transfusion and related biological
therapies.
“Electronic interfaces will enhance data accuracy and increase blood
center participation in the national donor hemovigilance system,” said
Barbee I. Whitaker, PhD, who is director of data and special programs
for AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks) and one of
the primary partners in the development of the U.S. Biovigilance
Network. “Blood center response to live demonstrations at AABB's 2009
Annual Meeting and TXPO in New Orleans was very enthusiastic, and we
look forward to the system release in March 2010.”
“We were pleased to be in a position to leverage our open technology to
quickly deliver an interface that will help increase participation in
this important industry campaign,” said Noel Strong, Mediware’s vice
president of research and development and chief technology officer.
Four components will eventually make up the U.S. Biovigilance Network:
1) the donor hemovigilance module, which will track adverse reactions
associated with the donation process; 2) the hemovigilance module of
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare
Safety Network, which will track adverse events associated with
transfusion of blood and blood components; 3) a tissue and organ
adverse event reporting system; and 4) a cell therapy module.
Mediware’s interface occurs between the donor hemovigilance module and
the company’s LifeTrak software; however, Mediware is actively working
with subcommittees to design additional interfaces as specifications
for the other modules are developed. Mediware expects to support the
hemovigilance module of the NHSN with an interface to the Company’s
market leading HCLL™ Transfusion software. Tissue and cell therapy data
will be provided through an interface to the Company’s biologics
management product, BiologiCare™.
“LifeTrak is used by some of the largest blood centers in the country
and, by our estimates, collects most of the data desired by the
Network,” continued Mr. Strong. “Rather than having to re-key this
information into the network’s systems, our customers will be able to
point and click to participate in this important initiative without any
additional labor or impact on their business.”
The LifeTrak system has a prestigious customer base and impressive
market momentum, with Mediware announcing seven new customers in the
past year. Some of these include the BloodCenter of Wisconsin, Carter
Bloodcare, Central Jersey Blood Center, Blood Bank of Alaska, Heartland
Community Blood Center, and Naples Community Blood Center. Several
large hospital blood banks and centralized testing facilities also
utilize LifeTrak to ensure safe and efficient blood donor management
and blood manufacturing processes.
About Mediware
Mediware delivers interoperable best-of-breed
software systems that integrate with electronic medical records to
improve efficiencies and address safety concerns to enable healthcare
organizations to improve care processes while decreasing costs. Core
Mediware solutions include blood management technologies for hospitals
and blood centers; medication management solutions for hospitals,
behavioral health facilities, infusion and specialty pharmacy
providers; and business intelligence-based performance management
solutions for clinical, regulatory and financial aspects of the broader
healthcare market. For more information about Mediware products and
services, visit our web site at
www.mediware.com .
