Transfusion medicine

Recent Updates

Modified on:

Jul 3, 2020

COVID-19 and transfusion medicine

This repository aims to support Canadian transfusion medicine health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be updated regularly as new information is available. In addition, the public and donors can learn more about how Canadian Blood Services is responding to COVID-19 by visiting blood.ca/covid-19.

Modified on:

Jun 9, 2020

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Testing and management of fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia

Key points

Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is an immune-mediated cause of thrombocytopenia in neonates due to maternal anti-human platelet antigen (HPA) antibodies, most commonly anti-HPA-1a.
Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a serious complication of FNAIT and is estimated to affect 1 in 10,000 live births.
Diagnostic testing for FNAIT includes three main steps:
- Maternal anti-HPA antibody screening and identification
- HPA genotyping of mother, father and/or neonate
- Confirmation of antibody specificity and reactivity with the monoclonal antibody immobilization of platelet antigens (MAIPA) assay
HPA-matched platelets should be given to a neonate with FNAIT if immediately available, otherwise unmatched units (random pooled platelets) should be provided until matched platelets can be obtained.

Modified on:

Apr 30, 2020

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Phenotype matching and storage age of blood for sickle cell patients: A review and recommendations for transfusion practice

Alloimmunization is common in patients with sickle cell disease and may complicate transfusion therapy.
Patient phenotyping and prophylactic matching to reduce alloimmunization is recommended.
Transfusion requirements and the presence or absence of red cell antibodies influence recommendations on the extent of phenotyping for patients with sickle cell disease.
Limited evidence exists on the impact of the storage age of blood in this population, but provision of fresh units imposes significant challenges and may compromise availability of optimally phenotype-matched units.

Upcoming Events

Convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19 patients: donor-, product - and patient challenges

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When

July 15, 2020 | 9:00AM to 10:30AM

Where

Webinar

Presented by:

Arwa Al-Riyami
Silvano Wendel
Evan Bloch

To register, click here.

Implementing Whole Blood Transfusion: Perspectives from Two Institutions

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When

July 15, 2020 | 2:00PM to 3:00PM

Where

Webinar

Educational Track: Technical/Clinical
Topic: Transfusion Medicine
Intended Audience: Donor Recruitment Staff, Hospital Blood Banks, Immunohematology Reference Labs (IRL’s), Laboratory Staff, Managers/Supervisors, Medical Directors, Physicians, Residents/Fellows, Students (MD, MT, SBB), Technologists, Transfusion Safety Officers
Teaching Level: Intermediate

The Transfusion Committee: How to be Effective and Sustaining

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When

July 22, 2020 | 2:00PM to 3:00PM

Where

Webinar

Educational Track: Technical/Clinical
Topic: Transfusion Medicine
Intended Audience: Hospitals, Hospital Blood Banks, Immunohematology Reference Labs (IRL’s), Laboratory Staff, Managers/Supervisors, Medical Directors, Nurses, Perfusionists, Physicians, Resident/Fellow, Students (MD, MT, SBB), Technologists, Transfusion Safety Officers, Other: CMO’s, Pharmacists, IT, Donor Center Representatives
Teaching Level: Basic to Intermediate

Blog

Modified on:

Jun 24, 2020

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COVID-19 resources for health-care professionals

Did you know that there’s a wealth of information available on the Canadian Blood Services’ Professional Education website to help transfusion medicine health-care professionals as they navigate the COVID-19 pandemic?

Modified on:

Jun 18, 2020

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Call for applications! Research funding to optimize blood product use and to train next-generation researchers

The 2020 competitions for two of the Centre for Innovation’s most important and impactful research and training funding programs are now open. The Blood Efficiency Accelerator Program supports projects that improve the use of blood products. The Postdoctoral Fellowship Program offers salary support for young investigators undertaking full-time research training in a Canadian research laboratory affiliated with Canadian Blood Services.

Modified on:

May 25, 2020

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Canadian Blood Services scientist Alan Lazarus honoured by the Canadian transfusion community

The Ortho Award is presented each year at the Canadian Society for Transfusion Medicine annual meeting to honour an individual member who has provided a major service or innovation in transfusion medicine. Congratulations to Canadian Blood Services scientist Dr. Alan Lazarus who is the 2020 recipient.