Transfusion Medicine Services

Blood component transfusions (red blood cells, plasma and platelets)

Non-lab personnel collecting samples for TMS must meet training and competency requirements in order for samples to be acceptable. 

Without exception

• Pre-transfusion samples must be collected at an Interior Health facility
• All inadequately labelled samples submitted for TMS are rejected

Note: A crossmatch sample can only be used if the patient continues to wear the TMS ID band associated with that sample (e.g., patient wears the ID band with the same TMS ID number as was placed on the sample tubes at the time of collection)

Additional time is required to crossmatch blood for patients with antibodies.  In some cases, crossmatch-compatible units must be shipped from a Canadian Blood Services (CBS) referral centre, which may delay the transfusion.

All requests for IVIG/SCIG transfusion must be approved.

Initial IVIG request:

• Contact the IH Laboratory IVIG coordinator at ihlabivig@interiorhealth.ca.
• Fax IVIG/SCIG Coordinator at 250-862-4131
  • Secondary Immunodeficiency - INITIAL Request - Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG)
  • Secondary Immunodeficiency - RENEWAL Request - Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG)
  • Neurology Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) Request
  • Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) Request - Transfusion Medicine (TM)
• See pbco.ca for IVIG Utilization Management Program Recommendations
• For any patient over 18 years of age with a rheumatological condition, complete and submit the Provincial Screening Request form

Initial SCIG request:

• Fax: SCIG Program Referral Form, Physician Order form and the IH Patient Consent Record Appreciable Risk Procedures to the IH IVIG/SCIG Coordinator at 250-862-4131

Renewal SCIG requests: 

• Must include the above forms as well as the IVIG /SCIG Clinical Outcome Questionnaire 

Renewal IVIG requests:

• Must include the above forms as well as the IVIG/SCIG Clinical Outcome Questionnaire

• SCIG Contact Information:
  • Phone: 250-469-7070 ext 12105
  • Fax: 250-980-1505
  • SCIG Program: Kelowna Community Health and Service Center; 505 Doyle Ave; Kelowna, BC V1Y 0C5
• Patient Handbook
• Letter of Authorization for Product Pickup