Asinamai Ndai, B.Pharm., M.S., a graduate student in the University of Florida College of Pharmacy Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, was named one of three 2024 Quality Improvement Champions by the American Society of Hematology, or ASH.
Ndai received the award from the ASH Subcommittee on Stewardship and Systems-Based Hematology at the ASH annual meeting in San Diego, Dec. 7-10, during which he also presented his work on optimized management of hemophilia in the emergency department.
Ndai and his colleagues at UF Health implemented a continuous quality improvement initiative for individuals with hemophilia, a relatively rare condition that creates unique, time-sensitive challenges in the emergency room. By employing a team of emergency physicians, hematologists, pharmacists, IT specialists, and administrators, the initiative aimed to reduce delays in providing patients with life-saving factor replacement therapy.
After implementing the intervention, which included training emergency medicine physicians on hemophilia guidelines, creating a specialized medication order set in the electronic health record system, and implementing a rapid triage system, the average time a patient waited for treatment was reduced from 5.63 hours to 3.15 hours. Findings from the initiative have been published in the Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
“It’s truly an honor to receive this recognition from the American Society of Hematology,” Ndai said. “The award marks the culmination of a three-year initiative to improve hemophilia care at UF Health. To be acknowledged by such a prestigious society reaffirms that we’re on the right path and reminds us of the importance of our team’s collaboration, innovation, and dedication to quality care. For me, this recognition goes beyond a professional milestone; it’s a testament to the collective effort of our entire team and a tribute to the patients and families who inspire us.”