The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. In response to identified needs as they relate to transfusion medicine in Canada, the NAC has developed several resources available to help guide or inform transfusion practice during this pandemic.
The National Emergency Blood Management Committee (NEBMC) was initially convened in early March 2020 and continues to meet regularly to discuss the status of blood supply in Canada. Details about blood shortages planning can be found on the Blood Shortages page.
Copies of NEBMC Inventory Advisory communications are found at this link
The availability of blood components is critical in the management of patients with certain medical conditions. Guidance documents developed by Canadian organizations as they relate to transfusion management of patients during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic may be found at the links below:
- Cell Therapy Transplant Canada (CTTC)
- Transfusion Thresholds for Adult Respiratory Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS)
Additional information on COVID-19 and transfusion medicine in Canada can be found at this link
Information about COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma donation can be found on the websites of Canadian Blood Services and Hema Quebec.