Scientific Session: Bacterial Contamination of Platelet Concentrates: Routine Testing and Research Studies

Presented by:

Dr. Sandra Ramirez-Arcos
Senior Scientist, Centre for Innovation
Canadian Blood Services

Objectives:

1.    Describe the process of platelet screening for bacterial contamination at Canadian Blood Services.
2.    Summarize research studies aimed at enhancing platelet safety at Canadian Blood Services.

References:

1.    Extension of platelet shelf life with an improved bacterial testing algorithm.  Ramirez-Arcos S, Evans S, McIntyre T, Pang C, Yi QL, DiFranco C, Goldman M.  Transfusion. 2020 Dec;60(12):2918-2928. doi: 10.1111/trf.16112. Epub 2020 Nov 2.PMID:  33140420

Note: The session is a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

To register for the LearnTransfusion series, send an email to learn.transfusion@blood.ca with  “Weekly Transfusion Medicine Seminars” in the subject line. Include your name and complete e-mail address in the body of the e-mail, and confirm that you would like to register for the LearnTransfusion series. You will then receive weekly email notifications of upcoming series events with details on how to join the webinars (e.g., call-in number and a link to register for the webinar).

The LearnTransfusion series is the seminar component of the Areas of Focused Competency (AFC)-Diploma Program in Transfusion Medicine. The series, organized by Canadian Blood Services is also open to all practitioners in the field of Transfusion Medicine. Through a series of regular webinars, trainees and practitioners are exposed to various scientific, technical and clinical aspects of transfusion medicine.