Your Digest

November 4, 2022

Here are the latest updates from Canadian Blood Services. Every Tuesday and Friday we invite you to read important updates, valuable information, and inspiring stories from across our organization. Please reach out to communications@blood.ca with your questions and suggestions on how we can better inform and support you.

See past digests

Reminder: Annual flu shot clinics on-site

Flu season is here, and we want to make it as easy and convenient as possible for you to stay safe. We’re offering free on-site flu immunization clinics at select locations, based on the number of employees at each site. Not only does the shot protect you, but it also helps keep your loved ones, colleagues and community safe from serious illness. Read more on Connect or start booking an appointment here. As well, consider getting a COVID-19 vaccine booster when it is available to you. Reminder: As we are now in cold and flu season, please remember to take care of yourself and stay home if you are feeling unwell.

New Live Learning sessions for November

If you are interested in learning more about your Canadian Blood Services device and applications, we’ve added new sessions to our Live Learning offerings. Register for new sessions including workshops on managing your Outlook inbox, using you Canadian Blood Services smartphone as an integrated scanner plus sharing files on Teams. Visit November’s schedule to learn more.

Question of the day

When will walk-ins take place again?

Since moving to an appointment-only model, we have seen an increase in efficiency and an improved donor experience. Accepting walk-in donors can impact the flow of the donation event as they can result in a swell of donors arriving, leaving the event understaffed. In some cases, donors would wait very long periods of time to make a donation or leave because they could not wait.

Messages encouraging appointments has been effective and many donors have reported preferring the appointment-only system as it prevents delays. We continue to offer donors the ability to book a donation on the spot if there is an appointment slot available. For example, should a donor arrive at an event and ask to walk in, the DCA would check the appointments and book them into the next available slot. This ensures appropriate staffing as well as preserving a positive donor experience. If an appointment is not available that day, the donor is encouraged to book for a future date.

About Your Digest

This digest highlights the latest activity happening at Canadian Blood Services and features original content to remind us that what we do matters. Click here to read past editions of Your Digest.