Using Blood Wisely is a national campaign to decrease inappropriate red blood cell transfusion practices in Canada. The goal is to achieve national benchmarks for inpatient transfusion practices of single unit red blood cell transfusion episodes of at least 65% and a pre-transfusion Hb 80 g/L or less in at least 80% of inpatient red blood cell transfusions.
Island Health achieved Using Blood Wisely Designation in May 2023, symbolizing a commitment to red blood cell stewardship and reducing unnecessary red blood cell transfusions. In achieving this Choosing Wisely Canada designation Island Health has joined a select group of hospitals across the country that are making a difference for patients, donors, and Canada’s blood supply.
How Island Health Uses Blood Wisely
The Oversight Committee have launched a Choosing Wisely at Island Health Interactive Report to monitor progress on key Choosing Wisely initiatives at Island Health including Using Blood Wisely. *Island Health login is required*. You can monitor Using Blood Wisely targets island-wide or compare by site. The interactive report is available on the Report PORTAL and is accessible to all medical staff and Island Health employees.
Led by Dr. Jennifer Duncan and the Blood Transfusion Committee, Island Health is ensuring best practice is built into our prescription practices for blood products and improving transfusion processes.
This important work will ensure Island Health continues to meet national benchmarks for transfusion medicine, following best practices for our patients and doing our part to protect our national blood supply. Appropriate transfusion is a positive step towards improving planetary health by reducing waste and decreasing strain on Canada’s blood supply.
We have developed two new resources on Using Blood Wisely at Island Health including a one-pager with Key Messages and an Overview document. Both are formatted for easy printing and laminated posters are available by contacting MedStaffQI@islandhealth.ca.
Click on the links in the paragraph above or scroll to the table below to learn more.
Do you want to learn more about Transfusion Medicine at Island Health? Visit the Transfusion Medicine page on the Island Health Intranet. *Island Health login is required*.
Are you looking for more information? CWC has worked alongside the Canadian Society for Transfusion Medicine to develop recommendation videos specific to CWC recommendations for appropriate use of blood products.
Click here to view the 5 videos.
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Educational Materials – Why Give 2 When 1 Will Do?: Using Blood Wisely – Key Messages: A one-pager focusing on reducing inappropriate red blood cell transfusions using evidence-based guidelines. Using Blood Wisely – Overview: A one-pager poster providing guidance on how to Use Blood Wisely. |
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Choosing Wisely at Island Health Interactive Report The Choosing Wisely Interactive Report is located |
Email MedStaffQI@IslandHealth.ca to find out more about Using Blood Wisely at Island Health or to obtain copies of the laminated posters for your site.
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Click here to return to the main Choosing Wisely at Island Health webpage. |