Artificial Blood Experiment Hits 27 U.S. Cities

[Firecat]

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/07/artifical_blood.html

Polyheme sounds very promising. But should they use it without consent?

[jampony]

This is so disturbing. I work about five minutes from one of the hospitals that are participating in the study and we've actually sent staff and clients (people with disabilities who we provide services for) to that hospital for emergency care. I wonder when the study started and if they let people know after the fact if they received Polyheme.

I emailed Northfield Labs to find out how to order blue bracelets for my coworkers and our clients and I'll be forwarding the news articles to all of them just in case.

Thanks for getting me all fired up so early in the frickin' morning, Firecat! :)

[msCCRN]

This is so disturbing. I work about five minutes from one of the hospitals that are participating in the study and we've actually sent staff and clients (people with disabilities who we provide services for) to that hospital for emergency care. I wonder when the study started and if they let people know after the fact if they received Polyheme.

I emailed Northfield Labs to find out how to order blue bracelets for my coworkers and our clients and I'll be forwarding the news articles to all of them just in case.

Thanks for getting me all fired up so early in the frickin' morning, Firecat! :)

What does the blue bracelet signify?

[jampony]

What does the blue bracelet signify?
Oh, sorry. It makes you exempt from the study. Of course, you need to wear it all the time until the end of the study, which I'm not sure I'm willing to do. I ordered some anyway from Northlabs and the hospital involved just in case any of my coworkers who live in the area are interested.

[msCCRN]

OOoh jampony, that sounds a little scary that you would have to wear the bracelet to be sure you are not given experimental stuff? Whatever happened to informed consent?
In the hospital where I work, we band patients with a yellow armband if there is a question regarding their acceptance of blood--but you still have to ask them first!
Is there any place else this study is being conducted (fear and panic in her voice as she hopes it's not anywhere is southern California)?

[jampony]

Looks like you're safe... participating hospitals (http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=2166058&page=1&WNT=true)

Other links I found interesting:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11625520/
http://www.northfieldlabs.com/polyheme.html

From one of the hospital's website:

What are the potential risks of participating in the study?
· Rash
· Increased blood pressure
· Kidney or liver damage
· Transmission of hepatitis and HIV viruses
· Unforeseen happenings

· In one earlier study where patients received PolyHeme during a complex surgery, there was an increased number of heart attacks noted. Other past studies in trauma patients did not show an unexpected number of heart attacks in patients who received Polyheme.

There can be unknown risks associated with PolyHeme®.

[msCCRN]

What are the potential risks of participating in the study?
· Rash
· Increased blood pressure
· Kidney or liver damage
· Transmission of hepatitis and HIV viruses
· Unforeseen happenings

There can be unknown risks associated with PolyHeme®.

Well I guess they covered everything with that "unforeseen happenings" and "unknown risks" umbrella. The only thing they did not mention was death, the ULTIMATE complication.
Thanks for all the info jp.