The National Hemophilia Foundation’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Council (MASAC) has issued an important new document on emergency department (ED) management, which was adopted by NHF’s Board of Directors on December 5, 2019.

MASAC Document #257 includes a series of guidelines relevant to the management of bleeding disorder patients who present in an ED, including triage, assessment and diagnostics. The document emphasizes the importance of an expeditious and preventative approach to managing bleeding disorders, to forestall serious and sometimes life-threatening outcomes that can be avoided by employing a “treat first” strategy.

MASAC provides a list of indications for the initiation of factor replacement therapy, and recommendations for treatment based on several scenarios that encompass inhibitor status, hemophilia type and bleeding severity. The document also contains additional treatment considerations, including guidelines for the appropriate preparation and administration of factor replacement products and DDAVP.  

To learn more, view and download Guidelines for Emergency Department Management of Individuals with Hemophilia and Other Bleeding Disorders.

View the complete list of current MASAC documents. To request a hard copy of any current documents, please contact HANDI, NHF’s information resource center: handi@hemophilia.org (link sends email) or 1.800.424.2634.