Hospital Newsletters

National Immunohematology Reference Laboratory relocation

National Immunohematology Reference Laboratory relocation (PDF)

On April 1, 2020, the Canadian Blood Services National Immunohematology Reference Laboratory (NIRL) was relocated from Ottawa to the Brampton operations site.

NIRL continues to use highly sophisticated serological methods and molecular testing platforms to provide quality serological investigation, red cell genotype testing, medical consultation and assistance in finding the most suitable components for patients.

Diagnostic Services Ontario and Nunavut Laboratory still remains at the Brampton operations site and continues to provide the same level of referral testing and consultation services to Ontario hospital customers.

As part of the relocation, the following were updated and made available under the Hospital Services tab in the Laboratory Services section of blood.ca on April 1, 2020:

• Related customer letter: 2020-02, Ottawa National Immunohematology Reference Laboratory (NIRL) Relocation to the Brampton operations site.
• Requisition forms were updated with Brampton address and contact information:
• Request for Serological Investigation (F800437).
• Request for Blood Group Genotyping (Patient) National Immunohematology Reference Laboratory (NIRL) (F800019).
• The Laboratory Services section of blood.ca was updated with the most current information including sample requirement, test information, hours of operation, address and contact information.

Kindly use the revised requisitions on blood.ca and ship patient samples directly to the Brampton operations site. For more information, please visit our website or contact:

National Immunohematology Reference Laboratory
100 Parkshore Drive
Brampton, ON, L6T 5M1
Telephone: (905) 494-5295
Fax: (905) 494-8131
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday – 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET
Saturday – 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM ET

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Additional measures in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Additional measures in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (PDF)

As discussed in customer letter 2020-16, Canadian Blood Services introduced additional infection control measures to help protect the safety of our collective workplaces in response to the current SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) pandemic. These measures are aligned with current public health recommendations.

• All staff complete a wellness checkpoint as they arrive for their shift at Canadian Blood Services.
• Personal protective equipment (masks and gloves) are available for staff to wear.
• Staff are instructed to practice proper hand washing, proper sneezing and coughing etiquette, and physical distancing.
• All Canadian Blood Services delivery vehicles are cleaned prior to delivery departure and upon return.
• All Canadian Blood Services shipping containers are cleaned before each packing, and delivery carts are cleaned prior to and after use.

These measures are constantly reviewed to ensure they remain consistent with the most current public health information available as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve.

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Cleaning or wiping of the external surfaces of blood component bags

Cleaning or wiping of the external surfaces of blood component bags (PDF)

Canadian Blood Services received several questions from our hospital customers asking how the exterior surfaces of our blood component bags and their labels could be cleaned or wiped if a unit was issued to a patient’s room and then returned to the blood transfusion service. We were also asked about how our current shipping containers used for product shipments to our hospital customers could be cleaned or wiped, if a hospital customer decides that they want to do something more than the additional cleaning performed by Canadian Blood Services as described in customer letter 2020-16.

We contacted our blood bag and shipping container manufacturers, as well as the manufacturer of our end labels. The responses were shared in customer letter 2020-17.

The manufacturer’s responses varied by container/blood bag/component type, so careful attention should be exercised if a hospital customer decides to clean or wipe the exterior surface.

Further, the manufacturers did not provide information beyond what is included in customer letter 2020-17. Information was not provided on the type or concentration of soap (if soap was recommended), the temperature of the water, or the type of wipe/cloth.

Canadian Blood Services does not have information regarding exterior cleansing of our previous shipping containers (e.g. J82 and E38 boxes) that were made available to support hospital redistribution programs.

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