Blood product utilization and management in Canada

The utilization of blood for transfusion in Canada has remained at 900,000-950,000 units p.a. for the past six years. Donation has decreased slightly from a peak of 1,200,000 units p.a. in 1989. The use of fresh plasma and cryo-precipitate has decreased while the use of platelets has doubled in the past six years. The increased use of albumen cannot be explained. In Vancouver, all anaesthesia residents take a compulsory transfusion medicine rotation which appears to be successful in rationalizing transfusion practice.