{"id":14735,"date":"2026-07-17T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/?p=14735"},"modified":"2026-07-16T13:26:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T17:26:58","slug":"highlighting-the-7th-annual-workshop-and-the-21st-annual-orbcon-cbs-transfusion-medicine-educational-symposium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/en\/highlighting-the-7th-annual-workshop-and-the-21st-annual-orbcon-cbs-transfusion-medicine-educational-symposium\/","title":{"rendered":"Highlighting the\u00a07th\u00a0Annual\u00a0Workshop and the\u00a021st\u00a0Annual\u00a0ORBCoN\/CBS Transfusion Medicine Educational Symposium"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Written by:<\/em>&nbsp;<em>Alexis&nbsp;Iob&nbsp;\u2013 NE Regional Project Coordinator,&nbsp;ORBCoN<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ontario Regional\u00a0Blood Coordinating Network (ORBCoN) and Canadian Blood Services (CBS) co-hosted\u00a0the\u00a07<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0Annual Wet\u00a0Workshop\u00a0on April\u00a022<sup>nd<\/sup>, 2026, and\u00a0the\u00a021<sup>st<\/sup>\u00a0Annual Transfusion Medicine\u00a0Educational\u00a0Symposium on\u00a0April 29<sup>th<\/sup>.\u00a0ORBCoN\u00a0and\u00a0CBS\u00a0hosts these\u00a0education sessions\u00a0to provide\u00a0information on\u00a0best practice\u00a0in\u00a0blood transfusion to all healthcare staff from\u00a0small\u00a0rural hospitals\u00a0to\u00a0tertiary care centres.\u00a0Over the past\u00a020\u00a0years\u00a0these events have become highly\u00a0anticipated, drawing attendees\u00a0provincially,\u00a0nationally,\u00a0and internationally. Participants value the opportunity to access up-to-date\u00a0information,\u00a0and the learning\u00a0experience the symposium\/workshop\u00a0provides.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>About the workshop:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This year\u2019s\u00a0Wet\u00a0Workshop\u201cAntigens\u00a0&amp; Antibodies:\u00a0The Red Cell edition\u00a02026\u201d\u00a0was led\u00a0by Dr.\u00a0Johnathan Mack\u00a0(CBS), Chris Kong\u00a0(CBS), John Wall\u00a0(CBS)\u00a0and\u00a0Kimberly Schonewille\u00a0(ORBCoN). The main\u00a0workshop\u00a0objectives\u00a0were to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enhance knowledge\u00a0of principles\u00a0of immunohematology for ABO and non-ABO blood groups.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Apply\u00a0immunohematologic\u00a0techniques to investigate serologic problems.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Interpret results of\u00a0immunohematologic\u00a0testing to inform clinical decision-making.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Participants were able to choose from three\u00a0tiers;\u00a0each\u00a0tier\u00a0was\u00a0tailored to varying levels of complexity for the different laboratories\u00a0that may be performing the workshop\u00a0testing. Each registered site received samples with a case study\u00a0containing\u00a0tier specific questions. The sites were given a dedicated amount of time to complete the testing,\u00a0questions and\u00a0submit\u00a0their answers.\u00a0The\u00a0answers were\u00a0discussed on April\u00a022<sup>nd<\/sup>\u00a0at the Wet Workshop Discussion\u00a0Sessions\u00a0led by Dr. Johnathan Mack\u00a0and Chris Kong.\u00a0The\u00a0discussions\u00a0were\u00a0open to both those\u00a0who\u00a0completed the lab testing and those\u00a0who\u00a0wanted to attend\u00a0just\u00a0the discussion session.\u00a0\u00a0A total of 213\u00a0people\u00a0submitted\u00a0the tier case\u00a0studies,\u00a0and\u00a0122\u00a0people\u00a0attended\u00a0the discussion sessions. For those\u00a0who were\u00a0unable to attend\u00a0the discussion sessions,\u00a0a recording is\u00a0available to view on our website.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/en\/2026-orbcon-cbs-wet-workshop\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2026\u00a0ORBCoN\/CBS Wet Workshop<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"489\" height=\"255\" src=\"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14739\" srcset=\"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-1.png 489w, https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-1-300x156.png 300w, https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-1-150x78.png 150w, https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-1-110x57.png 110w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 489px) 100vw, 489px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>About the Symposium:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This year\u2019s\u00a0symposium was titled\u00a0\u201cOptimizing Immunoglobulin\u00a0Therapy:\u00a0Patient Suitability, Stewardship Strategies and Navigating Reactions\u201d.\u00a0The symposium was held\u00a0on\u00a0April 29<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0with a morning session and an afternoon session. A total of\u00a0781\u00a0people\u00a0registered for the symposium.\u00a0The\u00a0symposium\u2019s learning\u00a0objectives\u00a0included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Understanding\u00a0the\u00a0immunoglobulin replacement\u00a0products\u00a0available in Canada.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify\u00a0which patients would be\u00a0appropriate for\u00a0Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin (SCIG) and describe how SCIG is administered.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Manage\u00a0adverse reactions that occur with immunoglobulin\u00a0infusion.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The virtual format&nbsp;facilitated&nbsp;widespread participation, allowing hospital staff from all over to&nbsp;benefit&nbsp;from the expert-led presentations.&nbsp;The symposium was accredited by the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the College of Family Physicians&nbsp;for 2.75&nbsp;Mainpro&nbsp;credits.&nbsp;\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The symposium was&nbsp;comprised&nbsp;of three presentations, followed by a Q&amp;A session with the presenters.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-custom-css wp-custom-css-3a5a85eb\"><strong>Presentation #1 \u2013\u00a0Immunoglobulin G: A Canadian perspective on its use, supply, and relevant initiatives.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-custom-css wp-custom-css-8734cc7a\">Presented by:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-custom-css wp-custom-css-0ae15d03\">\n<li class=\"has-custom-css wp-custom-css-bbd56d64\">\u00a0Dr. Kathryn Weber\u00a0a\u00a0Medical Director with Canadian Blood Services\u202fand\u202fan Associate Professor with the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-custom-css wp-custom-css-51a759eb\">\u00a0Dr. Caitlin Jones\u00a0an\u00a0Associate Director of Utilization on the Plasma Protein and Related Products (PPRP) Formulary Program at Canadian Blood Services. She is a pharmacist by training, with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and a Master of Science in Healthcare Quality.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-custom-css wp-custom-css-6b5895e1\">The learning\u00a0objectives\u00a0for this\u00a0presentation:\u00a0\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list has-custom-css wp-custom-css-dd5b18aa\">\n<li>Explain immunoglobulin, what it is used for, and its proposed mechanisms of action, and formulations.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Discuss the\u00a0utilization\u00a0trends of Ig.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Discuss the production, procurement, and supply of Ig.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Describe examples of Canadian Blood Services\u2019 support for\u00a0appropriate utilization\u00a0of Ig products.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-custom-css wp-custom-css-a8bcaec6\"><strong><strong>Presentation #2\u00a0&#8211;\u00a0Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin Treatment in Practice: Patient Selection, Dosing Strategies, and Home Infusion Program<\/strong><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-custom-css wp-custom-css-133f55b2\">Presented by:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-custom-css wp-custom-css-d18f27ba\">\n<li class=\"has-custom-css wp-custom-css-b97abc80\">Dr. Juthaporn Cowan,\u00a0Associate Professor at The University of Ottawa, an Infectious Diseases physician at The Ottawa Hospital, and\u00a0Associate\u00a0Scientist at The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. She currently serves as the medical lead for the Ontario Immunoglobulin Treatment Program (ONIT),\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-custom-css wp-custom-css-a31060f4\">The learning\u00a0objectives\u00a0for this\u00a0presentation:\u00a0\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list has-custom-css wp-custom-css-02020c7e\">\n<li>Identify\u00a0primary and secondary immunodeficiency conditions that\u00a0warrant\u00a0Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin (SCIG) treatment.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Employ standardized Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin (SCIG) dosing and share SCIG infusion best practices.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Describe the Ontario Immunoglobulin Treatment (ONIT) program as an example of a clinical program\u00a0facilitating\u00a0home-based Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin (SCIG) treatment.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-custom-css wp-custom-css-b1bc5417\"><strong><strong><strong>Presentation #3\u00a0&#8211;\u00a0When Good Antibodies Go Bad: Adverse Reactions to Immunoglobulin Therapy<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-custom-css wp-custom-css-76f378e1\">Presented by:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-custom-css wp-custom-css-ca426349\">\n<li class=\"has-custom-css wp-custom-css-409017bf\">Nour\u00a0Alhomsi, Technical Specialist\/TSO- Hamilton Health Sciences &amp; St. Joseph&#8217;s Healthcare Hamilton.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-custom-css wp-custom-css-315cb527\">The learning\u00a0objectives\u00a0for this\u00a0presentation:\u00a0\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list has-custom-css wp-custom-css-acdfbc4d\">\n<li>Recognize and differentiate adverse reactions to IVIG and Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin (SCIG) therapy.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Apply protocols and strategies to minimize infusion related side effects.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure\u00a0timely\u00a0documentation and reporting of adverse reactions through engagement in broader communication pathways.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"540\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14737\" srcset=\"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image.png 540w, https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-300x185.png 300w, https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-150x93.png 150w, https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-110x68.png 110w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The&nbsp;presentations&nbsp;provided comprehensive,&nbsp;and&nbsp;current information&nbsp;relevant to&nbsp;all&nbsp;professionals who work in healthcare.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you missed the&nbsp;live event, the presentations are available&nbsp;here&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/en\/21t-annual-tm-education-symposium\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">21<sup>st<\/sup>&nbsp;Annual TM Education Symposium.<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ORBCoN&nbsp;would like to thank&nbsp;all&nbsp;the speakers, participants and&nbsp;organizers who&nbsp;helped&nbsp;curate&nbsp;another wonderful&nbsp;event.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We look forward to seeing everyone at our 22<sup>nd<\/sup>&nbsp;Annual&nbsp;ORBCoN\/CBS TM Education Symposium next year!&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Written by:&nbsp;Alexis&nbsp;Iob&nbsp;\u2013 NE Regional Project Coordinator,&nbsp;ORBCoN&nbsp; Ontario Regional\u00a0Blood Coordinating Network (ORBCoN) and Canadian Blood Services (CBS) co-hosted\u00a0the\u00a07th\u00a0Annual Wet\u00a0Workshop\u00a0on April\u00a022nd, 2026, and\u00a0the\u00a021st\u00a0Annual Transfusion Medicine\u00a0Educational\u00a0Symposium on\u00a0April 29th.\u00a0ORBCoN\u00a0and\u00a0CBS\u00a0hosts these\u00a0education sessions\u00a0to provide\u00a0information on\u00a0best practice\u00a0in\u00a0blood [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[137],"tags":[473],"class_list":["post-14735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-newsletter","tag-orbcon-event"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14735"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14735\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14828,"href":"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14735\/revisions\/14828"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}