Red cell antigen genotyping is an important tool for healthcare providers in the development of transfusion strategies for patients, though the reports can be complex to interpret. New resources on Canadian Blood Services’ Professional Education website will assist healthcare providers in interpreting these reports, in addition to the support available from the National Immunohematology Reference Laboratory (NIRL).

Innovative research undertaken by Dr. Na Li and the team at the McMaster Centre for Transfusion Research is harnessing electronic health data to improve demand forecasting and inventory management of red blood cells.

Development work by Canadian Blood Services’ product and process development group lays the groundwork for greater operational flexibility for blood operators looking to introduce whole blood for transfusion.

Imagine a cut on your hand gets infected. It gets hot, swollen, painful – but it means your immune system is fighting off that infection. Now imagine that happening throughout your entire body because the infection spread everywhere through your bloodstream. This is sepsis – a life-threatening blood infection. Read on to learn what we know and don’t know about sepsis, the link to COVID-19, and why we’re entering a new era of heightened interest in sepsis research.

Canadian Blood Services recently made a submission to Health Canada to focus donor screening criteria on higher-risk sexual behaviour, regardless of gender or sexuality, for all donors and all phlebotomy collection types.

As we begin a new year, look back with us at the top five blogs of 2021. Unsurprisingly, pandemic-related information gained the most attention.

This year’s event was held in a hybrid format providing attendees with the best of both worlds: a chance for face-to-face discussions for those who could attend in Vancouver, B.C., and the flexibility of a virtual event for participants and attendees across Canada and beyond.

During November’s Honouring Canada’s Lifeline award ceremony, three distinguished Canadian researchers were recognized with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Each a world-leading expert with numerous outstanding achievements during their distinguished careers, Dr. Gilles Delage, Dr. Heather Hume and Dr. Mel Krajden are deserving awardees.

Discoveries made by a research team from McMaster University are providing vital information about a rare clotting reaction associated with COVID-19 vaccines that use adenovirus vectors.

We’re excited to launch a brand-new look for our professional education website, Canadian Blood Services’ resource hub for health-care professionals.