Hospitals in Manitoba have reached a major milestone in their blood stewardship efforts. Every hospital that performs transfusions in the province has achieved the Using Blood Wisely Hospital designation status.

Using Blood Wisely, launched by Choosing Wisely Canada and Canadian Blood Services, recognizes hospitals that have made significant achievements in meeting national appropriateness benchmarks for reducing inappropriate red blood cell transfusions. The inappropriate use of blood transfusions can place a significant strain on Canada’s blood supply and increase the risk of potential harm to patients.

To tackle this problem, Shared Health Transfusion Medicine Program, Best Blood Manitoba, and Choosing Wisely Manitoba supported hospitals across the province by implementing a transfusion stewardship project – Appropriate Inpatient Red Blood Cell Utilization in Manitoba. This provincial clinical practice change implemented a new set of guidelines that optimizes laboratory and clinical processes to assess the appropriateness of each unit transfused in the inpatient setting. Undertaking these efforts has resulted in sustained reductions in inappropriate red blood cell transfusions, leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced risks associated with blood transfusions.

“These designations are a testament to the incredible work and dedication of health care providers and administrators across the province,” says Dr. Charles Musuka, Haematopathologist and Medical Director for Transfusion Medicine at Shared Health Manitoba. “Despite incredible pressures during successive waves of the pandemic, they have exemplified an unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality care.”

Manitoba’s provincial-wide designation status serves as an inspiration to hospitals and health systems across the country. This milestone not only highlights leadership in promoting best practices in transfusion and blood stewardship, but also serves as a reminder of the critical importance of blood products and the need to protect this lifesaving health care resource.