The Ontario Nurse Transfusion Coordinators (ONTraC) Program is a Provincial Blood Conservation Program that attempts to enhance transfusion practice by promoting alternatives to allogenic transfusion in surgical patients, improving patient care and well-being in a cost-effective manner.

Formed in 2002, the ONTraC program is a unique intitiative supported by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to implement a peri-operative blood conservation program in 25 hospitals throughout Ontario. The institutions, large and small, were chosen on the basis of blood utilization and geographic distribution, and are a combination of teaching and community hospitals and represent approximately 65% of blood used in Ontario.

Twenty-five sites participate in this program. ONTRaC Staff:

• Educate on alternatives to transfusion
• Implement a Blood Conservation Program to reduce allogeneic transfusions
• Act as a bridge for information to physicians, nurses, technologists and patients
• Monitor blood product usage
• Ensure appropriate chart documentation
• Monitor Patient's Informed Consent

ONTraC plays an integral role in the implementation of hospital blood conservation strategies, evaluation of practices, and trouble shooting.
The overall objective is to reduce allogeneic transfusions in Ontario through training, having informed patients consider non-blood/blood products, and improving quality of care practices involving blood/blood products. It will also restore confidence to patients and physicians who are concerned with transfusion-transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV and hepatitis).

For more information please visit the ONTraC website at www.ontracprogram.com

Program Director:
Dr. John Freedman
St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto