Recent Updates

Modified on: 
Jul 20, 2017
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The importance of iron for whole blood donors: a Canadian perspective

By generously providing blood that can be manufactured into red blood cells, platelets and plasma products, whole blood donors are essential to the blood system and the patients it serves. Canadian Blood Services is committed to maintaining a safe and secure blood supply while also protecting the health of our blood donors. The focus of this article is the effect of red blood cell loss on the iron levels of the donor and the steps taken by Canadian Blood Services to protect the health of its donors.

Transfusion
Modified on: 
Jul 14, 2017
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Surveillance report

Author: Sheila O'Brien, RN, PhD
Online publication date: June 2017

We are pleased to provide on a regular basis a Surveillance Report describing infectious disease surveillance that our stakeholders can consult to make evidence-based decisions.

Transfusion
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Published: 
May 31, 2017

Preoperative Autologous Donation

Chapter 16

This chapter focuses on preoperative autologous donation (PAD). There are other types of autologous blood use (e.g. acute normovolemic hemodilution and intraoperative and postoperative blood salvage) which are not discussed in this chapter.

PAD refers to the donation of blood by a patient for his/her own future use; generally this is for a scheduled elective surgery. The top three procedures associated with a request for a PAD are total hip replacement, total knee replacement and hysterectomy.

In most cases, allogeneic blood transfusions are a safe and available option. Autologous and directed donations should be confined to circumstances of rare blood types or plasma protein deficiencies in which  allogeneic units may not meet patient needs. Rare blood types represent only a small number of autologous units collected each year.

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Upcoming Events

15th Symposium – Red Blood Cells: Still Vital After All These Years?

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When
September 9, 2017 | 8:00AM to 4:00PM
Where

Toronto

The 15th Annual Canadian Blood Services International symposium will focus on red blood cells, exploring topics in serology and genotyping, alternatives to red blood cells, alloimmunization, hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn, and more. This one day symposium is for Canadian physicians, technologists, nurses and researchers involved in transfusion and transplantation medicine.

The event will be held at the Chestnut Conference Centre (89 Chestnut St) in downtown Toronto, Ontario. 

Transfusion

Critical Care Canada Forum

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When
October 2, 2017 | 8:00AM to October 5, 2017 | 5:00PM
Where

Toronto

The Critical Care Canada Forum 2017 is Canada's national critical care meeting. Held over 4 days, it focuses on clinicians, scientists, and leaders in critical care medicine, and attracts the best speakers worldwide. CCCF consists of superlative plenary talks, thematic sessions and posters, with exhibits that demonstrate the latest products and services. 

Featuring internationally renowned experts; Darren Freed (Canada), Stephen Large (UK), Peter MacDonald (Australia), Paul Murphy (UK), and Robert TRuog (USA). 

Transfusion
Organs and Tissues

AABB Annual Meeting

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When
October 7, 2017 | 8:00AM to October 10, 2017 | 6:00PM
Where

San Diego, California

The AABB Annual Meeting is the premiere event for healthcare professionals in the fields of transfusion medicine and cellular therapies.

Click here for more information.

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Stem Cells
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Blog

Dr. Ramirez (left), Dr. Qadri, and Dr. Loza

Modified on: 
Jul 19, 2017
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Crossing the Atlantic for ISBT 2017

This post was written by Canadian Blood Services' postdoctoral fellows, Dr. Syed Qadri from Prof. William Sheffield's laboratory in Hamilton and Dr. Maria Loza from Dr. Sandra Ramirez‘s laboratory in Ottawa. They both crossed the Atlantic for ISBT 2017. 

 

Winnipeg Rh Lab http://medheritage.lib.umanitoba.ca/?page_id=73

Modified on: 
Jul 6, 2017
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Meet Canada's Blood-Typing Pioneers

Innovation150 series: As Canada celebrates 150 years we look back on Canadian innovations in transfusion medicine over the years. A series of posts over the next few weeks feature remarkable Canadian progress -- past, present and future. #Innovation150.

Canadian Blood Transfusion Unit which operated during the Spanish Civil War. Dr. Norman Bethune is at the right. ca. 1936 - 1938 / Spain Source: [http://www.collectionscanada.ca/ Library and Archives Canada] Copyright: Expired

Modified on: 
Jul 6, 2017
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Wartime Service and Canadian Transfusion Medicine

Innovation150 series: As Canada celebrates 150 years we look back on Canadian innovations in transfusion medicine over the years. A series of posts over the next few weeks feature remarkable Canadian progress -- past, present and future. #Innovation150.

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