The hemophilia community has experienced a serious shortage of recombinant factor VIII for more than six months. This has raised concerns about the availability of factor concentrate in case of emergency for individuals who experience an acute bleed but do not have factor for treatment.
Recognizing the critical nature of this situation, MASAC resolves that a depot network be set up to provide immediate, 24-hour access to factor for hemophilia patients seeking emergency treatment around the country. All efforts should be made to use existing locales (e.g., hemophilia treatment centers) where clotting factor is already present. This emergency depot system should encompass the following two major elements:
1. A single toll-free number around the country that allows an emergency physician to have access to factor within two hours. 2. The same toll-free number should facilitate dialogue between the emergency physician and a hemophilia treatment center physician to ensure that the former can obtain accurate and timely medical advice regarding the management of the patient currently under his/her care.
This material is provided for your general information only. NHF does not give medical advice or engage in the practice of medicine. NHF under no circumstances recommends particular treatment for specific individuals and in all cases recommends that you consult your physician or local treatment center before pursuing any course of treatment.
CHAPTERS: Please feel free to distribute to your members.
PHYSICIANS: Please distribute this information to all providers in your area who treat patients with bleeding disorders.