General information

Transfusion Camp is a 5-day education program aimed at increasing knowledge of transfusion medicine and best practices by providing high-quality training to post-graduate medical trainees in various specialties related to transfusion.

Led by transfusion experts at the University of Toronto, Transfusion Camp is delivered to trainees from more than 12 different specialty training programs at more than 15 universities in Canada and abroad.

How is Transfusion Camp delivered?

• Transfusion Camp content is delivered over 5 days (typically from September to May).
• Each day includes didactic lectures centrally delivered and problem-based learning tutorials (seminars) locally delivered.

When and where do I attend Transfusion Camp?

• Medical schools from across Canada and from abroad participate in Transfusion Camp.
• Trainees attend Transfusion Camp at their medical schools with the help of a local program coordinator and faculties.
• Local program coordinators send email reminders to registered trainees prior to each day to confirm date, time and location. Consult with your local program coordinator for assistance.
• The downloadable 2021-2022 schedule and location document contains information on how the Camp will be delivered at each site.  Consult with your local program coordinator for assistance.

How do I get the most out of Transfusion Camp?

• Read the pre-reading publications before each day.
• Attend all days.
• Actively participate during lectures.
• Actively participate in problem-based learning tutorials (seminars). A guide for participating in the seminars is provided below.
• Refrain from excessive use of interruption devices (mobile phones).
• Arrange not to be on call the night before.
• Complete evaluations.
• Come back to this website to review materials as needed, including the recorded lectures. The Transfusion Camp materials are ​provided for educational purposes only. They are not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a physician and should be assessed in the context of the applicable medic​al, legal and ethical requirements in any individual case.

What topics are covered by Transfusion Camp?

The topics covered for 2021-2022 Transfusion Camp are detailed below and in the downloadable Program Brochure.

Day 1: Blood component indications & administration

Pre-course exam (delivered electronically)
Red Cell Transfusion (Dr. Jeannie Callum) 
Platelet Transfusion (Dr. Katerina Pavenski)
Basic Blood Bank Testing (Dr. Yulia Lin)
Seminar 1A: RBC & Platelet Transfusion Cases (Dr. Aditi Khandelwal)
Neonatal & Pediatric Transfusion Cases (Dr. Lani Lieberman)
Plasma, PCC & Cryoprecipitate (Dr. Aditi Khandelwal)
Seminar 1B: Plasma, PCC & Cryoprecipitate (Dr. Aditi Khandelwal) 

Day 2: Complications: Compatibility, acute & long-term transfusion risks & errors

Informed Consent (Dr. Katerina Pavenski)
Acute & Delayed Transfusion Transmitted Infections (Dr. Steven Drews)
Acute Non-Infectious Reactions (Dr. Cserti-Gazdewich)
Seminar 2A: Labile Component Reactions (Dr. Cserti-Gazdewich)
Virtual Héma-Québec Tour (Québec sites) (Dr. Nancy Robitaille)
Virtual Canadian Blood Services Tour (non-Québec sites) (Dr. Michelle Zeller)
Delayed Non-Infectious Reactions (Dr. Waseem Anani)
Seminar 2B: “Delayed or Derivative” Transfusion Reactions (Dr. Akash Gupta)

Day 3: Special transfusion situations – maternal, perioperative bleeding assessment, sickle cell disease

Alloimmunization & Anemia in Pregnancy (Dr. Nadine Shehata)
Bleeding Assessment & Approach to INR/PTT (Dr. Zachary Liederman)
Seminar 3A: Perioperative Bleeding Assessment (Dr. Zachary Liederman)
Sickle Cell Disease (Dr. Jacob Pendergrast)
Seminar 3B: SCD & Transfusion (Dr. Jacob Pendergrast)

Day 4: Patient blood management, conservation & complex hemostasis

Pre-operative Patient Blood Management (Dr. Yulia Lin)
Intra-op Patient Blood Management: Tranexamic Acid; Salvage and Triggers (Dr. Keyvan Karkouti)
Seminar 4A: Patient Blood Management (Dr. Yulia Lin)
Congenital Coag – VWD, Hemophilia (Dr. Natasha Rupani)
Reversal of antiplatelets & direct anticoagulants (Dr. Carolyne Elbaz)
Seminar 4B: Advanced Hemostasis Testing & Management (Dr. Eric Tseng)

Day 5: Trauma, massive transfusion protocols & controversial entities

Massive Hemorrhage: Pathophysiology & Evidence Based Management (Dr. Jeannie Callum)
Massive Hemorrhage Protocols: Real World Application (Dr. Katerina Pavenski)
Seminar 5A: Massive, Disaster Bleeding Cases (Dr. Jeannie Callum)
Albumin (Dr. Justyna Bartoszko)
New Updates in Transfusion (To be determined)
Ask the Experts:  Q&A (Panel)
Post-course Exam (delivered electronically)

How do I provide feedback about Transfusion Camp?

• For feedback related to Transfusion Camp, please complete the electronic surveys that are emailed to all trainees after each day.
• For feedback related to this website, please contact transfusioncamp@blood.ca.

What is the impact of Transfusion Camp on transfusion practice?

• Trainees complete a pre- and a post-exam to evaluate the knowledge gained through attending Transfusion Camp.
• Trainees also complete electronic surveys after each of the days.
• Read our peer-reviewed publication.

• Read our Annual Reports. 

Who can I contact for help with this website?

• Access to this website is provided to trainees who are registered for Transfusion Camp. Please do not share the site’s password with anyone, instead direct them to transfusioncamp@blood.ca.