Transfusion medicine

Canadian Blood Services supports best practices in transfusion medicine through the development of educational resources. Written by subject-matter experts from across Canada, our transfusion medicine resources support clinical practice and help health-care professionals stay current in an ever-changing field.

If you are a health-care professional working in transfusion medicine and have a comment or suggestions for new resources, please get in touch.

Aditi Khandelwal
Transfusion Medicine Specialist and Hematologist

Surveillance report

We are pleased to present this annual report describing transmissible blood-borne infection surveillance. High quality and timely surveillance is central to the safety of the blood supply. This includes monitoring of transmissible disease markers that the blood is tested for (including bacteria) and investigation of any reports of possible transfusion transmission, as well as a horizon scan for any new pathogens that may pose a risk.

Vein to vein: A summary of the blood system in Canada

This chapter of the Clinical Guide to Transfusion provides an overview of the blood system in Canada, including the regulations and standards that help ensure a safe, secure and sustainable blood system.

Blood components

This chapter provides an overview of red blood cells, whole blood leukocytes reduced, platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate processing at Canadian Blood Services. Additional information on component dosing, indications/contraindications and alternatives are included.

Latest updates from the National Advisory Committee on Blood and Blood Products (as of February 26, 2025)

New

Updated

NAC Statement on Fibrinogen Concentrate Use in Acquired Hypofibrinogenemia

Upcoming events

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Jun 26
12:00 pm | Virtual

Guidance for Prenatal, Postnatal and Neonatal Immunohaematology Testing in Canada: Consensus Recommendations from a Delphi Process

Presented by Dr. Gwen Clarke Dr. Lani Lieberman Dr. Heather VanderMeulen Dr. Nancy Robitaille Registration Registration is required for this event. To receive registration details for upcoming U of T Transfusion Medicine Rounds directly, join the U of T Transfusion Medicine mailing list via Ontario

Transfusion

Jun 28
8:00 am | Saskatoon, SK

LABCONIC Saskatoon 2025

CSMLS has been cooking up a new event called LABCONIC – a one-day, in-person event that will feel like a mini LABCON. We know you can’t always make it to LABCON, so we’ve found a way to bring a similar experience to you. Just like the LABCON you’ve come to know and love, LABCONIC will feature expert

Transfusion

Jul 16
12:00 pm | Virtual

A sticky summer: Platelet transfusion refractoriness, HSCT and anti-CD36 case study

CSTM Virtual Education Days offer short, 2-3 hour, themed education sessions, with an opportunity to directly connect with the experts via a live Q&A. Save the date for this upcoming event! This event will be offered simultaneously in both English and French with a bilingual Q&A. Open to anyone -

Transfusion

Recent R.E.D. blogs

View all R.E.D. blog posts

ICTMG partners with AABB to advance platelet transfusion practice with publication of new international guidelines

Platelets are the cells in blood that help stop bleeding by forming clots when an injury occurs. Platelets are given to patients who might develop bleeding, who are living with conditions that cause platelet dysfunction, or who have decreased platelet counts due to chemotherapy and other medical treatments. While transfusions can be a life-saving medical intervention, any transfusion is not without risks. As demand increases, there is also a need to ensure that blood components like platelets are used in the most appropriate and beneficial ways to reduce shortages. Clinical guidelines are a

Post date: June 23, 2025

Transfusion

Double distinction: 2025 QuidelOrtho & Canadian Blood Services’ Leadership Awards for Dr. Sheffield

Dr. William (Bill) Sheffield, Canadian Blood Services’ senior scientist and associate director of research, has been recognized with two awards: the Canadian Society of Transfusion Medicine’s annual QuidelOrtho Award and a 2025 Canadian Blood Services’ Leadership Award in recognition of his outstanding innovations and mentorship within transfusion medicine. The 2025 QuidelOrtho Award At the Canadian Society for Transfusion Medicine (CSTM) conference recently held in St. John’s, Dr. Sheffield was presented with the 2025 QuidelOrtho Award. This annual, nomination-based award recognizes a member

Post date: June 19, 2025

Transfusion

Countdown to CSTM 2025: A young investigator’s perspective

The Canadian Society for Transfusion Medicine (CSTM) annual conference, held in partnership with Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec, is taking place May 29 – June 1 in St. John's, Newfoundland. Each year, the CSTM conference provides opportunity for health-care professionals and researchers in transfusion medicine to share knowledge, learn about recent advancements in transfusion medicine, and connect with colleagues. In lead-up to the event, we invited members of our research and education network to submit blogs previewing their contributions to CSTM 2025. This blog was prepared by

Post date: May 23, 2025

Transfusion

Transfusion medicine

Surveillance report

Vein to vein: A summary of the blood system in Canada

Blood components

Guidance for Prenatal, Postnatal and Neonatal Immunohaematology Testing in Canada: Consensus Recommendations from a Delphi Process

LABCONIC Saskatoon 2025

A sticky summer: Platelet transfusion refractoriness, HSCT and anti-CD36 case study

ICTMG partners with AABB to advance platelet transfusion practice with publication of new international guidelines

Double distinction: 2025 QuidelOrtho &amp; Canadian Blood Services’ Leadership Awards for Dr. Sheffield

Countdown to CSTM 2025: A young investigator’s perspective

Double distinction: 2025 QuidelOrtho & Canadian Blood Services’ Leadership Awards for Dr. Sheffield