May 2013 e-newsletter
Medical Message – New Oral Agents Prevent Blood Clots After Hip and Knee Replacement |
 Dr. Richard J. Friedman explains in this month’s Medical Message about new oral agents for preventing blood clots after hip and knee replacement. Click here to read the articleRichard J. Friedman, MD, FRCSC, is Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, Medical Director of Charleston Orthopaedic Associates, and an Adjunct Professor of Bioengineering at Clemson University. He is also Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Roper Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina.Medical Messages is a monthly patient education service brought to you by NBCA’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Board. |
Patients on Blood Thinners Benefit from Home Monitoring |
NBCA to Form Coalition to Overcome Barriers to Optimal CareNBCA presented a report in Phoenix AZ on May 10, 2013 calling for overcoming the barriers to optimal care for patients on warfarin (blood thinners) for deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism and atrial fibrillation. Click here to view the report ” Improvement In Warfarin Patient Management Through Patient Self Testing (PST): Implications for Public and Private 3rd Party Payers and Public Health”.The report was presented at the 12th National Conference of the Anticoagulation Forum and it concludes that there are barriers to home monitoring, or Patient Self-Testing (PST), that compromise optimal care. This monitoring ensures that the dosing level of warfarin is maintaining the proper therapeutic range to minimize the potential of bleeding or clotting. According to Alan Brownstein, CEO of the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA), “less than 5% of the 2.5 million patients taking warfarin test their blood at home through PST.” Brownstein added “There are substantial data that demonstrate improved health outcomes for patients using PST.” Randy Fenninger, NBCA president and co-author of the report, said “one of the major barriers to PST is the lack of patient/clinician awareness of PST.” Fenninger pointed to other barriers including cost of testing equipment, and inadequate coverage and reimbursement for health professionals and patients.”Brownstein said “NBCA is determined to overcome these obstacles and is seeking to form a coalition to expand PTS access throughout the U.S.” |
Patients: Join us in Brooklyn June 1st to learn all you need to know about blood clots! |
| What is Venous Thromboembolism and How is It Treated? Post Thrombotic Syndrome – Are You at Risk?Blood Clots and Women, New Anticoagulants: When and If to Switch.These and other topics will be discussed at National Blood Clot Alliance’s June 1 Stop the Clot® Forum, a patient program for those whose lives are affected by blood clots. You’ll learn all about risk, prevention, and treatment of blood clots and clotting disorders from New York area experts on blood clotting. Register today! Contact Judi Kaplan Elkin for more information. |
Stopping Clots Across the Country |
| NBCA’s Spring event season is winding down….but we want to thank and praise our volunteer organizers, who deserve ongoing recognition. Kudos to Spring 2013 volunteers Traci Wilkes Smith, New York, Andi Asimes, Ohio, Lisa Thomas, Minnesota, Jennifer McLean Brooks, Colorado, Paul Zaruba, Maryland, Kara and Ben King Texas, and Sara Wassenaar, Michigan. Summer and Fall event plans are being scheduled now. Contact Judi Kaplan Elkin today if you’re interested in organizing an event in your community.Texas volunteers Kara King and Patti Kelly appeared on Fox “Good Day Austin” to promote blood clot awareness and to talk about the Stop the Clot 5k that took place in Austin on May 19. We’re expecting that this event will raise nearly $10,000.Anna Frutiger’s story and legacy continue to save lives through education, awareness and fundraising in Michigan. On May 25, Anna’s Team was in full force at the Alma Highland Festival to share the message of health and DVT/PE awareness. Since Anna’s untimely passing in 2010, her family and friends have demonstrated unending commitment to the National Blood Clot Alliance. We extend our gratitude to Anna’s parents, Drs. Sara Wassenaar and Rich Frutiger for their important role in the NBCA family.Save the date – July 28 in Florida when NBCA family, friends and followers will gather in Miami for Blood Clot Awareness Day with the Miami Marlins. Festivities for NBCA supporters include a Blood Clot Awareness Walk around the baseball field in front of the Marlin fans, first pitch, a 50-50 raffle and more! Volunteers will be acknowledged. More information will be available @ www.stoptheclot.org in the coming weeks, so stay tuned. |
Team Stop The Clot® Runs NY! |
 NBCA is thrilled to announce that it was selected again to participate as a charity for the 2013 ING New York City Marathon! Our team members add meaning to their miles by raising awareness about blood clots as well as funds to bring help and hope to the hundreds of thousands of people affected by blood clots in the US.This month, we introduce you to Team Stop The Clot® member Crystal Gordon, who ran her first 5k race in 2007 and got hooked on running. During her hospitalization with bilateral pulmonary emboli last July, Crystal was told by her doctors that her consistent exercise helped to save her life. While she experienced symptoms from her lung clots, her ability to run marathons and do workouts was reduced to being barely able to walk up stairs. Now that she has recovered, she has resumed her training for the NY Marathon this coming November 3. Read Crystal’s inspiring story on her ING New York City Marathon fundraising page and you’ll see how she inspired people to donate $2500 in less than 24 hours. Go Crystal! NBCA is proud of your success! Contact Judi Kaplan Elkin for more information about how you can get involved in the ING New York City Marathon |
