Transfusion medicine

Recent Updates

Modified on:

Sep 5, 2018

The importance of iron for whole blood donors: a Canadian perspective

By generously providing blood that can be manufactured into red blood cells, platelets and plasma products, whole blood donors are essential to the blood system and the patients it serves. Canadian Blood Services is committed to maintaining a safe and secure blood supply while also protecting the health of our blood donors. The focus of this article is the effect of red blood cell loss on the iron levels of the donor and the steps taken by Canadian Blood Services to protect the health of its donors.

Modified on:

Sep 5, 2018

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Forward

Platelet product quality remains high after seven days of storage

In August 2017, Canadian Blood Services changed its platelet product testing procedure to improve the detection of bacterial contamination. This change enhanced the safety of Canadian Blood Services platelet products and provided the opportunity to improve inventory management by extending the platelet shelf life from five to seven days.

Modified on:

Sep 5, 2018

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Forward

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a rare but serious syndrome characterized by sudden acute respiratory distress following transfusion. It is defined as new, acute lung injury (ALI) during or within six hours after blood product administration in the absence of temporally-associated risk factors for ALI.

AABB Annual Meeting

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Forward

When

October 13, 2018 | 8:00AM to October 16, 2018 | 6:00PM

Where

Boston, MA

The AABB Annual Meeting is the premiere event for healthcare professionals in the fields of transfusion medicine and cellular therapies.

Click here for more information.

The 18th Annual Education Session on Blood Transfusion Issues

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Forward

When

October 25, 2018 | 8:00AM to 6:00PM

Where

Sidney/Webinar

The BC Provincial Blood Coordinating Office (PBCO) and Canadian Blood Services provide a free, day-long education session every fall to support and educate technologists, nurses and physicians about transfusion medicine issues. This conference is also broadcast via webinar, reaching attendees throughout the province and beyond.

Topics for 2018 event include:

The 2018 Saskatchewan Transfusion Medicine Symposium

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Forward

When

October 26, 2018 | 7:30AM to 4:00PM

Where

Regina/Webinar

This continuing education event is organized in collaboration between Saskachtewan Provincial Blood Office and Canadian Blood Services. It is offered to laboratory personnel, nurses and physicians in Saskatchewan with an interest in Transfusion Medicine. The event can also be attended via webcast.

See documents attached for program details and how to register.

Blog

Modified on:

Sep 10, 2018

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Forward

A mission to Mars caps off summer at the Centre for Blood Research

Research day celebrates the end of summer and close of the Centre for Blood Research Summer Studentship Program. This year's keynote speaker, Dr. Farah Alibay, an aerospace engineer with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Los Angeles spoke of her work on the Mars InSight mission.

Modified on:

Sep 4, 2018

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Forward

Meet the Researcher: Dr. Jelena Holovati

This week, we connected with Dr. Jelena Holovati about her work as a Canadian Blood Services adjunct scientist and her role as laboratory director of the Edmonton Stem Cell Manufacturing Program.

Modified on:

Sep 11, 2018

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Forward

In the news: UBC research brings us one step closer to universal blood

Exciting research from the University of British Columbia could make it easier to match blood to patients, by turning all blood into type O, the universal donor. This work was just presented at the American Chemical Society National Meeting in Boston, and has created quite a buzz. I chatted to our Chief Scientist, Dr. Dana Devine, and Dr. Jayachandran Kizhakkedathu to learn more.