At this time, the system will not connect to external healthcare IT systems such as hospital electronic medical record (EMR) or laboratory information systems (LIS). Opportunities for future integration will be evaluated at a later date.
Requesting Immunoglobulins (Ig) in Ontario – Changes coming!
Year-over-year growth in immunoglobulin (Ig) demand has averaged 8-11% since the COVID-19 pandemic, and without intervention, the rate of growth is expected to continue at pace over the next 3-5 years. The increase in Ig demand, coupled with the associated rising costs and global shortages of this limited resource, has become a critical area of focus for the health system.
In Ontario, Ig requests are currently completed by the Ig prescriber and sent to Transfusion Medicine Laboratories (TMLs) on three different paper requisitions (MOH IG Request Forms-Neurology, Non-Neurology and SCIG). The current paper-based process limits the ability to collect and analyze complete, high-quality provincial Ig utilization data and support effective oversight and planning.
In 2020, the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario (OAGO) performed an audit of Ontario’s blood management system. The report made several high-level recommendations for the Ontario Ministry of Health to address gaps in Ig product management, including:
- Strengthen Ig utilization monitoring and guidelines adherence
- Advance Canada’s plasma self-sufficiency strategy
- Promote evidence-based alternatives to blood products
- Improve preparedness and equitable allocation during Ig shortages
Recommendation three, bullet one, specifically stated:
OAGO Recommendation 3
To better manage the demand and supply of immunoglobulins so that they are available for Ontarians who need them most and to avoid costs of wasted product, we recommend that the MOH, in consultation with Ontario Health:
– Collect more complete data from hospitals on how immunoglobulins are being used and identify emerging conditions that may warrant inclusion in provincial utilization guidelines.
To address this situation, Canadian Blood Services and health system partners, including the Ontario Ministry of Health, are developing a new Ig information technology (IT) system. The new Ig IT system is being developed within the existing Canadian Blood Services’ Hospital Portal to enhance understanding of Ig utilization across Ontario, support a more consistent approach to Ig ordering and adjudication, in alignment with Ontario’s Ig Utilization Management Guidelines. The system will also bring Ontario in line with other jurisdictions within Canada and around the world that have deployed Ig IT systems and succeeded in improving product stewardship and utilization data capture. The Ig IT system will support, not replace, clinical judgement and decision-making by healthcare providers.
Key System Benefits
- Ministry of Health – Funder of CBS’s Ig IT project, provincial blood coordinating program (ORBCoN), and all blood components and products in Ontario, including Ig.
- Canadian Blood Services – Leading development of IT infrastructure to support central collection and review of Ig requests from Ontario prescribers. Wholesaler of Ig products to Ontario hospitals.
- ORBCoN – Facilitator of provincial Ig utilization information from various stakeholders to support best practice in utilization of blood components and products.
Canadian Blood Services has developed videos to inform hospital partners and stakeholders in Ontario about project updates and timelines. These videos can be accessed on YouTube here:
The Ig IT System project would not be possible without the input from various stakeholders across the province. Core and extended working groups have been established to support this project throughout the development and implementation phases. Members include:
➢ Ontario Ministry of Health Representatives
➢ Ontario hospital TML staff including: Transfusion Medicine Physicians, Laboratory Leadership, and Technologists
➢ Ontario Ig prescribers across various specialities including: immunology, neurology, hematology, pediatrics
➢ Ontario Health Representative(s)
➢ ORBCoN
➢ Canadian Blood Services staff
To submit feedback, comments, questions or concerns: please complete the form.