Why Was ATHN Formed?

ATHN was formed in response to nationally identified needs delineated over the course of two years by representatives of the hemophilia provider and patient communities that included the following:

• Need for research that links medical interventions with clinical outcomes;
• Need for evidence-based clinical standards;
• Need for standardization and an improved means of collaboration with one national database;
• Need to conserve and consolidate scarce resources.

The ultimate decision to form ATHN as an independent organization was based on the recommendation of two working groups – clinical and operational - that included representation from a broad range of hemophilia organizations, institutions, clinical disciplines and fields of expertise.  Although the multiple constituencies had interest and need to develop an evidence base and an electronic infrastructure to support policy, research and patient care, no other organization was in a position to coordinate these efforts…hence, the birth of ATHN.