Transfusion medicine

Recent Updates

Modified on:

Jul 29, 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.

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Published:

Jul 13, 2020

Pre-transfusion Testing

Chapter 8

Pre-transfusion testing ensures compatibility between the transfusion patient and the blood component(s) (red blood cells, platelets, plasma) intended for transfusion. This process includes accurate and thorough completion of the requisition, accurate patient identification, proper collection and labelling of the blood sample from the patient, laboratory testing to determine the patient’s blood group and to identify the presence of red blood cell alloantibodies, and compatibility testing. Pre-transfusion testing is complete when a compatible blood component is identified and labelled for transfusion to the intended patient. This chapter provides an overview of the pre-transfusion tests that are routinely performed.

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.

Upcoming Events

The 9th Annual Norman Bethune Symposium

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When

September 9, 2020 | 8:00AM to 4:00PM

Where

Virtual Conference

The Centre for Blood Research is excited to present its 9th Annual Norman Bethune Symposium! This full-day symposium will be held virtually over Zoom. We have a fabulous program this year and the highlights include presentations on the management of trauma-induced bleeding, therapies for red cell disorders such as sickle cell disease, patient blood management, COVID-19 and therapeutic advances for hemophilia.

AABB Nonconformances Case Studies

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When

August 12, 2020 | 2:00PM to 3:00PM

Where

Webinar

Educational Track: Quality Education
Topic: Transfusion Medicine
Intended Audience: Directors, Hospitals, Hospital Blood Banks, Immunohematology Reference Labs (IRL’s), Laboratory Staff, Managers/Supervisors, Medical Directors, Perfusionists, Residents/fellows, Students (MD, MT, SBB), Technologists, Transfusion Safety Officers
Teaching Level: Basic to Intermediate

Titers in the Pregnant Woman – the How and the Why?

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When

August 19, 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, Physicians, Residents/Fellows, Students (MD, MT, SBB), Technologists, Transfusion Safety Officers
Teaching Level: Basic to Intermediate

Blog

Modified on:

Jul 30, 2020

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Knowledge synthesis forum highlights dedication of research teams and stakeholders, commitment of Canadian blood operators

In 2017, Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec launched a research program dedicated to advancing donor eligibility criteria specific to men who have sex with men. In November 2019, the blood operators hosted a knowledge synthesis forum in Toronto to bring stakeholders together and see where this research stands. A report from this forum is now available on blood.ca.

Modified on:

Jul 15, 2020

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Cord Blood Awareness Month: Q&A with researcher Jennie Haw

Dr. Jennie Haw is a scientist at Canadian Blood Services’ Centre for Innovation. As a sociologist, she’s interested in understanding how health and health systems relate to the individual and society. As we celebrate Cord Blood Awareness Month this July, we sat down with Dr. Haw to talk about her research and its impact on cord blood banking.

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?