Trends in IVIG use at a tertiary care Canadian center and impact of provincial use mitigation strategies: 10-year retrospective study with interrupted time series analysis.

Background: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a fractionated plasma product used to treat a range of autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, as well as immunodeficiency. Demand for this high-cost product is increasing worldwide. Understanding historical changes in IVIG use is important for inventory management and demand forecasting as well as for the development of initiatives aimed at optimizing blood product use.

Effect of an innovative community-based care model, the Monarch Centre, on postpartum length of stay: an interrupted time-series study.

Background: Reduction in postpartum length of stay has been advocated within a context of reducing health care system costs and maintaining quality of care. We assessed trends in postpartum length of stay for vaginal and cesarean deliveries at an academic hospital, The Ottawa Hospital, before and after the implementation in 2014 of a novel community-based postpartum outpatient clinic, the Monarch Centre.

Methods: The Monarch Centre model of postpartum care consists of prebooked appointments at the postpartum clinic, scheduled within 48 hours of hospital discharge.

Risks and trends of red blood cell transfusion in obstetric patients: a retrospective study of 45,213 deliveries using administrative data.

Background: Transfusion data for obstetric patients are scarce. Identifying characteristics associated with red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) is of importance to better identify patients who would benefit from blood conservation strategies as the risk of alloimmunization from RBCT has the potential to affect the fetus and newborn.

Study Design And Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using hospital administrative data to identify trends and risk factors of RBCT in obstetric patients.

Risk of exposure to blood products during pregnancy: guidance for Zika and other donor deferral policies.

Background: Exposure to blood products during pregnancy carries a potential risk of transfusion transmission of infectious agents. Blood agencies have historically sought optimal deferral and testing strategies to protect blood supplies in part to ensure the protection of pregnant women and their unborn infants. The Zika virus outbreak of 2016 has heightened attention to these concerns.