February 2024

In This Issue

Highlights from the ORBCoN/FCRP Redistribution Summit
Redistribution Summit 2023: Charting the Future Course for Ontario’s Redistribution Program Optimization through Collaborative Vision
Featured Resources
- MHP Podcast
Upcoming Events
- 19th Annual Transfusion Medicine Education Symposium
- CSTM 2024
- Transfusionists Talk
- U of T Rounds

Overview of the Provincial Factor Concentrate Redistribution Program

Sarah Crymble, Hemophilia Provincial Coordinator, St. Michael’s Hospital

We’re thrilled to bring you the latest updates from the Factor Concentrate Redistribution Program (FCRP), as showcased in the recent ORBCoN/FCRP Redistribution Summit. The FCRP program is on a mission to efficiently distribute short-dated Plasma Protein and Related Products (PPRPs) to patients across Ontario, with St. Mikes at the forefront due to its high patient volume and remarkable home care program, making them an ideal site to receive over 80% of all product.

Key Highlights

Efficient Redistribution:
Our commitment to efficiently redistribute short-dated PPRPs is a cornerstone of the FCRP program. By optimizing the distribution process, we ensure that these crucial products reach patients in need across Ontario promptly.
Product Availability:
We’re calling on all stakeholders to join hands in ensuring timely redistribution. If you have PPRPs available for redistribution, please notify us as soon as possible. The more time the better! Giving us the maximum amount of time will ensure we can get the product and used before expiry.
The introduction of Hemlibra means there are less patients to use redistributed PPRPs. Another reason to give us as much time as possible to find a hospital to take short dating product.
Finally, when restocking PPRPs, please make sure that you do not receive the same lot number that you are trying to redistribute. If you are ordering more stock, please check with CBS first to ensure that you are getting long-dated products.
Secure Packaging and Shipping:
Maintaining the highest standards is paramount. We emphasize the secure packaging and shipping of all products, following protocols set by ORBCoN and Canadian Blood Services (CBS) based on precondition parameters. This commitment ensures the integrity of our products and, most importantly, upholds patient safety throughout the entire redistribution process….and as always, remember to seal the box!
Our successes over the years:
The FCRP has been a beacon of efficiency and resourcefulness since its inception in 2007. It’s truly heartening to see how we have all managed to prevent millions of IUs from going to waste. Over the past 16 years, FCRP has impressively redistributed nearly 17,000,000 IUs of PPRPs and 8352mg of product. This translates into an astounding savings of approximately $25,000,000 CDN – a testament to the program’s effectiveness. All these remarkable achievements have been realized at a modest cost of $360,000 for running the program.

A Heartfelt Thank You:
To our partners, contributors, and advocates – thank you for your unwavering support. Your commitment plays a pivotal role in making a positive impact on health care across Ontario. Together, we’re creating a network of care and support that reaches every corner of the community.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about the Factor Concentrate Redistribution Program, please reach out to us at sarah.crymble@unityhealth.to
Let’s continue making a difference together!
Warm regards, Sarah and Antonette

Redistribution Summit 2023: Charting the Future Course for Ontario’s Redistribution Program Optimization through Collaborative Vision

Valérie Rhéaume, MLT
Project Coordinator for the Ontario Regional Blood Coordinating Network (ORBCoN)

An in-person meeting was held on December 11th, 2023 to discuss the Ontario redistribution program. This was a pivotal gathering that brought together key stakeholders from hospital laboratories primarily focusing on the collaboration between ORBCoN, FCRP, CBS and laboratories. The event aimed to address existing challenges, share insights, and strategize for future improvements for Ontario’s redistribution program.

Participants included 4 members from ORBCoN, 2 Ministry of Health representatives, 2 members of the FCRP program, a Hospital Liaison Specialist from CBS and 9 laboratory leaders that represented medium, regional, and large-sized hospitals that offer varying levels of transfusion medicine services. All participants were able to actively contribute to the discussions. Representatives from small-sized hospitals were invited, but none were unable to attend.

The summit featured five presentations, covering topics such a review of the FCRP program, a review of the results from the environmental scan survey, a review of the challenges encountered, the current redistribution processes for blood component and plasma protein and related products (PPRP), the challenges encountered with the redistribution program processes, as well as challenges with reporting and definitions of dispositions for blood components and PPRP from CBS. Round-table discussions with participants were facilitated by ORBCoN that focused on logistics and shipping container issues, troubleshooting the patient transfer process, and suggested improvements for the redistribution toolkit. The summit concluded with the identification of participants willing to form a provincial working group, signalling a commitment to collaboratively drive future improvements for Ontario’s redistribution program.

The participants at the summit expressed a collective vision for the future direction of Ontario’s redistribution program.

Key points that the group identified as next step deliverables were:

Perform an in-depth review of the redistribution toolkit, incorporating suggestions to enhance the process for patient transfers and implementing standardized definitions for reporting disposition.
The establishment of a dedicated working group tasked with the ongoing improvement of the redistribution processes, ready to address emerging challenges collaboratively.

This strategic approach would bolster the efficiency and effectiveness of the redistribution program to ensure successful redistribution in the province of Ontario.

The summit served as a platform for constructive discussions and collaborative problem-solving and was overall received as a success. One of our participant’s shared with us the following comment: “As always, very well done!” The active participation of diverse stakeholders ensured a comprehensive and inclusive approach towards addressing the challenges, and strategized on enhancing the redistribution program. Stay informed about the upcoming enhancements to our redistribution toolkit by visiting our website, following us on social media, or joining our annual site visits for an exclusive look at the exciting changes that will take place.

Featured Resource

Memorandum of Understanding

Has your lab signed theirs? Find the list here.

Learn More

7 Ts of Massive Hemorrhage Protocol Podcast

In this episode – The 7 Ts of Massive Hemorrhage Protocols, Dr. Jeannie Callum, Dr. Andrew Petrosoniak and Dr. Barbara Haas join Anton in answering the questions related to MHP