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In testimony delivered to a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee on March 30, the CAP supported the use of capillary blood with blood glucose meters for critically-ill hospital patients in certain instances.

The FDA Chemistry Advisory Committee discussed recommendations regarding measuring blood glucose with the point of care test when hospital patients are receiving intensive medical intervention or therapy and for patients with decreased peripheral blood flow, such as those with severe hypotension, shock, hyperosmolar-hyperglycemia, and severe dehydration. Currently, the FDA has cleared one glucose meter for use all over the hospital using venous and arterial blood. The FDA further understands that being able to make capillary blood measurements in all hospitalized patients using FDA cleared and CLIA waived glucose meters would be more convenient and timely for hospital staff.

Speaking on behalf of the CAP, Deborah Perry, MD, FCAP, provided a statement to the advisory committee in support of using capillary blood glucose meters for hospital patients suffering from chronic conditions. Dr. Perry is the former chair of the CAP Point of Care Testing Committee.

“The ease of using these devices and rapid reporting of blood glucose information led to their utilization in the inpatient setting for diabetic and non-diabetic patients and is established as the standard of care,” Dr. Perry said. “Therefore, the CAP supports using capillary blood with blood glucose meters for critically-ill hospital patient populations provided the manufacturers’ clinical data validate performance in each patient population.”

Dr. Perry referred to clinical studies and guidelines from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute and the FDA on blood glucose meter performance expectations. However, the CAP believes there may be specific limitations cited in the literature in which the meters should not be used for capillary samples.

Following the testimony, the advisory committee said it believed the benefit outweighs the risk and requested more data from the FDA.

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Gail Vance, MD, FCAP

Can pathologists’ voice really make a difference and help drive policy change? They can and at the 2018 Policy Meeting, pathologists will come together to engage and get involved in advocacy by meeting with lawmakers to help drive change.

In a new podcast, Gail Vance MD, FCAP discussed how she’s provided a unique perspective on health care and helped educate her local and federal legislators. Like Dr. Vance, CAP members can use their voices to advocate for the profession during the Policy Meeting. In addition, attendees will receive policy updates from leaders at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and hear from featured keynote speakers Judy Woodruff, Charlie Cook and William Kristol.

The Policy Meeting begins Monday, April 30 and ends with Hill Day on Wednesday, May 2. The Policy Meeting, which will take place at the Washington Marriott in Washington, DC, is a benefit of CAP membership and there is no fee to register. View the full meeting agenda.

Our featured keynote speakers will discuss the current political climate and provide different viewpoints on the potential impact of the 2018 midterm elections. Ms. Woodruff is the anchor and Managing Editor of “PBS NewsHour,” and has covered politics and other news for more than four decades at CNN, NBC, and PBS.

Mr. Kristol is the editor-at-large of The Weekly Standard, is a regular on ABC’s “This Week” and on ABC’s special events and election coverage, and appears frequently on other leading political commentary shows. Prior to that, Kristol served as chief of staff to Vice President Dan Quayle during the George H.W. Bush Administration and to Education Secretary William Bennett during the Reagan Administration.

Mr. Cook is editor and publisher of The Cook Political Report and a columnist for National Journal magazine. Mr. Cook founded The Cook Political Report in 1984 and became a columnist for Roll Call, the Capitol Hill newspaper, in 1986. Mr. Cook has served as a political analyst for CBS, CNN, and NBC and has also appeared on "Meet the Press" and "This Week."

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Donald Karcher, MD, FCAP

Wednesday, April 4, 2018 1:00 PM ET/ Noon CT

If you are one of the many pathologists concerned about practice or patient care implications from emerging policies and regulations, join us in this 60-minute webinar to learn the most effective ways you can ensure your voice is heard in Washington on issues that matter to you.

Gain insight on best practices and understand the difference you can make by engaging with your colleagues in protecting scope of practice and the quality of care for patients.

Joe Saad, MD, FCAP

Already registered to attend this year’s Policy Meeting? This is a great webinar for CAP members who are attending the Policy Meeting, especially those attending for the first time, as you’ll gain a general understanding of grassroots advocacy before you arrive in Washington.

Whether you are DC bound or looking to get involved in your district, you’ll want to hear from experienced advocates Donald Karcher, MD, FCAP, Chair of the Committee of Government and Professional Affairs, Joe Saad, MD, FCAP, Federal and State Affairs Committee Chair, and moderator Michael Giuliani, CAP Advocacy Senior Director.

Register Today.

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