Bayer HealthCare Launches Hemophilia Self-Infusion Traini...( WAYNE N.J. July 9 /- Today Bayer Heal...),Health

WAYNE, N.J., July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals launched the BayCuff(TM) self-infusion training program, an educational initiative designed to make infusion of recombinant factor VIII easier for both patients with hemophilia A and for their caregivers. The centerpiece of the program is an adjustable cuff worn on the hand or arm that allows patients to practice the technique of self-injection without actually infusing themselves and helps caregivers learn to administer home infusions for others.

The program was developed to provide members of the hemophilia A community a life-like experience and give them skills, knowledge and confidence as they progress toward self-administration of their therapy. It helps patients rely more on themselves than family members or a nurse to receive their factor therapy, and thus feel more in control of their condition. It is recommended that patients initially use BayCuff with the assistance of a caregiver or healthcare professional.

Hemophilia A is a genetic condition characterized by missing or reduced levels of the blood clotting protein factor VIII leading to prolonged or uncontrolled bleeding episodes. Treatment of this disease may require the infusion of factor VIII therapy sometimes once, twice or three times per week. Until they can learn to infuse themselves, patients receive these infusions either from a parent or nurse. The BayCuff self-infusion training program provides the tools and educational materials needed to teach children how to self-inject in a manner that is both safe and secure. In addition, feedback from the hemophilia community has indicated that BayCuff could be utilized by caregivers who occasionally need to help adult patients infuse themselves.

"The idea for BayCuff was the result of 10 years of working with boys with hemophilia A and their families," said Tessa Speller RN, formerly of the Henry Ekert Hemophilia
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