The ONTraC Ontario program in blood conservation

Blood conservation, or Patient Blood Management (PBM), is a paradigm shift in transfusion practice. Recognizing the potential adverse effects associated with blood transfusion, PBM emphasises the use of alternatives to transfusion in order to minimize unnecessary or inappropriate blood transfusion. The ONTraC program is a network of transfusion coordinators in 25 Ontario hospitals with the focus of implementing PBM. The program has been highly successful in reducing transfusion rates and improving clinical outcomes, and has proven very cost-effective. This paper summarizes results of the program from its inception in 2002–2011.