Transfusion medicine

Recent Updates

Published:

Jan 15, 2021

Whole blood donations are separated into specific cellular (red blood cells and platelets) and plasma components. Transfusing the appropriate blood component to effectively provide for the clinical needs of patients optimizes use of donated blood.

This chapter describes the manufacturing process for the most commonly prepared blood components:

Red blood cells (RBC)
Platelets: pooled and apheresis
Frozen plasma (FP)
Apheresis fresh frozen plasma (AFFP)
Cryosupernatant plasma (CSP)
Cryoprecipitate

Forward Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

Published:

Apr 13, 2021

Donor Selection, Donor Testing and Pathogen Reduction

Chapter 6

All blood transfused in Canada is collected from volunteer donors. To ensure the safety of blood components, donors are carefully screened. In addition, the donated blood is tested to identify blood group, blood group antibodies and transfusion-transmissible pathogens. Donor eligibility criteria and testing also benefit the donors by reducing potential blood donation-related health risks.

This chapter describes the donor selection process, the testing done on donated blood, and the pathogen inactivation processes that can further reduce risk of transfusion-transmitted diseases. This chapter is complemented by Chapter 7, Fractionated Blood products and Associated Pathogen Safety, and Chapter 8, Pre-transfusion Testing, of this Guide.

Forward Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

Published:

Mar 2, 2021

Irradiated, Washed and CMV Seronegative Blood Components

Chapter 15

Modified or specialty blood components may be useful in specific clinical settings to reduce the risk of transfusion-related harm. This chapter describes the preparation of irradiated, washed, and CMV seronegative cellular blood components (red blood cells and platelets) and the clinical setting in which they are of greatest benefit.

Upcoming Events

U of T Rounds: Cold Immune Hemolytic Anemia: Clinical aspects and advances in treatment

Forward Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

When

April 22, 2021 | 12:00PM to 1:00PM

Where

Toronto/Webinar

Presented by:

Ilene Weitz, MD
Professor of Medicine
Jane Anne Nohl Division of Hematology
Keck-USC School of Medicine

Learning Objectives:

1.   To understand the different presentation of primary cold agglutinin disease (CAD) vs cold agglutinin syndrome.
2.   To understand the pathophysiology of CAD.
3.   To understand the role of complement in CAD.
4.   To understand the role of complement inhibition in managing CAD.

Topic Teaching: Ethics

Forward Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

When

April 27, 2021 | 12:00PM to 1:00PM

Where

Toronto/Webinar

More details to follow.

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.

Ontario's First Recommendations for Massive Hemorrhage Protocol

Forward Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

When

April 30, 2021 | 7:00AM to 12:00PM

Where

Virtual Symposium

A virtual symposium promoting the Provincial Massive Hemorrhage Protocol and Toolkit

Objectives:

1. Discuss strategies to implement a standardized method of MHP activation and improve communication.
2.   Discuss rationale behind 2:1 ratio of RBC to plasma in MHP.
3.   Highlight importance of identifying and treating source of hemorrhage.
4.   Review strategies to achieve high level of team and protocol adherence.

Blog

Modified on:

Mar 10, 2021

Forward Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

Challenges 2020: Lay science writing winners announced

The Centre for Innovation is delighted to announce the winners of the 2020-2021 Canadian Blood Services Lay Science Writing Competition. Read on to find out who won!

Modified on:

Mar 3, 2021

Forward Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

Why getting a COVID-19 vaccine shouldn’t stop you from donating blood

You may be aware that there’s no deferral for blood donors after they receive a vaccine against COVID-19. But you might be wondering how the blood operators made this decision. Canadian Blood Services' medical director for donor and clinical services, Dr. Mindy Goldman, answers questions.

Modified on:

Feb 17, 2021

Forward Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

The START Study: Improving red blood cell use in Canadian hospitals

A study conducted by researchers in the University of Toronto QUEST program, a research collaborative supported by Canadian Blood Services, looked at what can be done to reduce the number of inappropriate red blood cell transfusions in hospitals.