Transfusion medicine

Recent Updates

Published:

Aug 8, 2019

Donor Selection, Donor Testing and Pathogen Reduction

Chapter 6

All blood transfused in Canada is collected from volunteer donors. To ensure the safety of the blood products, donors are carefully screened against an extended list of eligibility criteria. In addition, the donated blood is tested to identify the donor’s blood group and to detect blood group antibodies and transfusion-transmissible pathogens. Donor eligibility criteria and testing also benefit the donors by, for example, reducing potential blood donation-related health risks.

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Forward

Published:

Sep 10, 2019

Fractionated Blood Products and Associated Pathogen Safety

Chapter 7

Background

Originally all plasma fractionation products were derived from pooled human plasma. Increasingly, many plasma proteins are manufactured by biotechnology as recombinant proteins, without need for donated plasma; depending on the plasma protein product, either a recombinant or fractionated product, or both are available in Canada.

Modified on:

Oct 17, 2019

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Forward

Surveillance report

We are pleased to present the seventh annual report describing transmissible blood-borne infection surveillance. High quality and timely surveillance is central to the safety of the blood supply.

Upcoming Events

Cellular Therapies and Transfusion Medicine in Trauma and Critical Care

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Forward

When

December 11, 2019 | 8:00AM to December 13, 2019 | 5:00PM

Where

San Diego, California

This is the fourth in a series of conferences entitled “Cellular Therapies and Transfusion Medicine in Trauma and Critical Care Medicine.” It is the belief that cellular therapies, adjuncts in resuscitation and novel blood products represent critical areas in transfusion medicine that have the potential to dramatically improve outcomes in trauma patients. Previous conferences have resulted in multiple cross disciplinary collaborations and grants for pre-clinical studies and clinical trials.

U of T Rounds: "If There’s a W.A.I.H.A.’le, There’s a Way!” – Warm Autoantibodies, from Bank to Bedside

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Forward

When

December 12, 2019 | 12:00PM to 1:00PM

Where

Toronto/Webinar

Presented by:

Dr. Christine Cserti-Gadzewich
Associate Medical Director, UHN (& LMP client sites) Hospital Transfusion Services
Clinical Hematologist, UHN/MSH

Objectives:

1. How do labs see warm autoantibodies (and see through them) to make sense of a case?
2. How do clinicians treat the impactful (anemia-causing) warm autoantibodies?
3. How do labs provide transfusion support for patients with warm autoantibodies?

Scientific Session: Research

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Forward

When

December 17, 2019 | 12:00PM to 1:00PM

Where

Toronto/Webinar

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.

Blog

Modified on:

Dec 9, 2019

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Forward

Patients with non-ABO red blood cell antibodies: transfusion best practices for professionals

When a patient has unexpected red blood cell antibodies (non-ABO) in their blood, selecting compatible red blood cell donor units for transfusion is critical. New serological best practices for health-care providers, available on Canadian Blood Service’s professional education website, help ensure patients receive red blood cell units that are the best match for them.

Modified on:

Dec 4, 2019

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Forward

From whole blood to blood components…and back again!

The Canadian Blood Services Centre for Innovation has been doing research to develop a “new” product for transfusion that some might find surprising: whole blood! Yes, the fluid that is originally drawn from a donor. To learn why, we need to delve into the history of blood transfusion and innovation over the past century.

Modified on:

Nov 28, 2019

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Forward

Centre for Innovation awards funding to support young researchers and improve blood product use

The Centre for Innovation supports research, innovation and education in key areas in blood, plasma, stem cells, and organs and tissues. This support is in part through the many competitive funding programs centre administers. These are open to Canadian researchers interested in pursuing projects focused on Canadian Blood Services priorities. Read on to learn about the recent recipients of funding through our Postdoctoral Fellowship Program and our Blood Efficiency Accelerator Award Program.