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Patients are a driving force behind ASH’s mission. ASH continued advancing progress in hematology research, training, and clinical care with a clear focus on improving patient outcomes and enhancing the lives of those living with blood disorders. These efforts included work to improve quality of care, enhance the scientific understanding of blood disorders, and advocate for hematology on the Hill.

Quality Improvement and Evidence-Based Science

The quality of care delivered in health systems has a direct impact on health outcomes, so ASH has developed various resources, awards, and programs to help clinicians make evidence-based decisions and improve the health care system.

This year, ASH selected 24 institutions to participate in the Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) by Duffy Status Project, which will redefine pediatric and adult ANC reference ranges by Duffy status. People with DANC are often labeled as having neutropenia, which can lead to unnecessary, expensive, and invasive testing; adoption of these new reference ranges will help prevent that. Following a request from ASH, the National Center for Health Statistics’ ICD-10-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee established new ICD-10 Z codes, which will allow clinicians to code Duffy status into electronic health records to enable accurate documentation. New ASH educational offerings around the Duffy null phenotype will launch in 2025.

ASH’s portfolio of clinical practice guidelines continues to grow, with new guidelines initiated on amyloidosis, aplastic anemia, dosing and monitoring of hydroxyurea for sickle cell disease, myelofibrosis, and iron deficiency in 2024. In addition, updates are underway for guidelines on pediatric venous thromboembolism, acute myeloid leukemia in older adults, and immune thrombocytopenia.

Throughout 2024, ASH continued to serve the hematology community on the Hill and within the halls of government offices. Among many activities, ASH advocated for continued funding to the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, among others.

ASH’s advocacy efforts made an impact. Early in 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services made a national coverage determination to allow for allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for myelodysplastic syndromes. ASH officers were invited to the White House and discussed maternal health and hematology, including the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in women. This work continues with plans for an Iron Deficiency Summit at ASH in 2025.

Read more about ASH’s efforts in the 2024 end of year advocacy report.