ORBCoN recaps the 19th Annual Transfusion Medicine Educational Symposium and Workshop

This event summary was written by Valérie Rhéaume, North and East Ontario Regional Project Coordinator for the Ontario Regional Blood Coordinating Network (ORBCoN), and originally appeared in ORBCoN’s newsletter on June 17, 2024. It has received minor edits for length and clarity.  

ORBCoN was launched in 2006 with funding by the Ontario Ministry of Health to provide an organized and integrated approach to blood management in Ontario through the engagement of hospitals and Canadian Blood Services. Since 2007, ORBCoN and Canadian Blood Services have partnered in hosting an annual ORBCoN/Canadian Blood Services Transfusion Medicine Education Symposium and Workshop for transfusion health-care professionals. 

The Ontario Regional Blood Coordinating Network (ORBCoN) and Canadian Blood Services co-hosted their annual Transfusion Medicine Educational Serology Workshop and Web Conference Symposium on April 10th and 11th this year. The primary objective of these annual educational events is to provide best practice information on blood transfusion to healthcare staff in community and rural hospitals across Ontario. Over the years, these events have become highly anticipated, drawing attendees across the province, nationally and internationally. Participants value the opportunity to access up-to-date information and learning they provide.   

About the workshop  

The workshop titled “Mysteries in a Test Tube”, provided hands-on practice and education to laboratory staff that work in hospital transfusion services. Participants chose from three tiers, each tailored to varying levels of complexity, ensuring a valuable learning experience for all levels of expertise. Each registered site received samples along with a case study containing tier-specific questions. Sites were given dedicated time to complete the work and submit their answers. These answers were then discussed collectively during the review session for each tier. A total of 38 attendees joined Canadian Blood Services medical officer Dr. Johnathan Mack as he led engaging discussion sessions on April 10th, further enriching the workshop experience. The response was overwhelming, with all fifty of the available spots for workshop samples quickly filled, underscoring the demand for such interactive learning opportunities.   

Missed the workshop? Recordings are now available on the ORBCoN website to extend the educational reach: 2024 CBS/ORBCoN Wet Workshop – Transfusion Ontario 

About the symposium  

With the title of “The Blueprint for Massive Hemorrhage Protocol: Development, Implementation and Optimization in Rural Hospitals”, this year’s symposium drew an astounding 1151 registrations, attesting to its relevance and significance. Designed for healthcare workers in community and rural areas that are involved in blood component administration that may not have specialized knowledge in transfusion science, the symposium was accredited by the College of Physicians and Surgeons as well as the College of Family Physicians.  

The symposium program comprised three presentations, followed by a Q&A session with the presenters, which was moderated by Dr. Johnathan Mack.  

Missed the event? Details of the Symposium presentations (including a recording) are now available on the ORBCoN website: 19th Annual TM Education Symposium – Transfusion Ontario 

Dr. Laura Stone, representing Sault Area Hospital, delivered the first presentation titled "A Practical Approach to Updating the Massive Hemorrhage Protocol (MHP) at Your Community Hospital: What We Have Done and What We Have Learned," focusing on their hospital's experience in implementing a massive hemorrhage protocol. Dr. Andrew Petrosoniak's presentation “Bringing your MHP to life: the roll out, the logistics and the training” centered on identifying strategies to ensure optimal implementation, utilization, and maintenance of MHPs. The final presentation, "Transfusion in the Pre-hospital and Inter-facility Transport System," was delivered by Dr. Michael Peddle, covering the patient transport system in Ontario and a review of pre-transfer care to optimize patient outcomes prior to definitive care. 

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with commendations for the informative content and collaborative spirit.  

Canadian Blood Services – Driving world-class innovation  

Through discovery, development and applied research, Canadian Blood Services drives world-class innovation in blood transfusion, cellular therapy and transplantation—bringing clarity and insight to an increasingly complex healthcare future. Our dedicated research team and extended network of partners engage in exploratory and applied research to create new knowledge, inform and enhance best practices, contribute to the development of new services and technologies, and build capacity through training and collaboration. Find out more about our research impact.   

The opinions reflected in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Canadian Blood Services nor do they reflect the views of Health Canada or any other funding agency.