The Transfusion Medicine Advisory Group (TMAG) provides advice to the BC Ministry of Health and the BC Provincial Blood Coordinating Office (PBCO). TMAG is comprised of transfusion medicine experts representing health authority transfusion medicine services and includes physicians and representation from nursing and transfusion lab technologists. TMAG members meet three times per year and are also engaged during the year to provide provincial consultative advice. As representatives of their health authorities, TMAG members help support the implementation of blood-related guidelines, policies and utilization management initiatives and also advise the Ministry of Health to help identify provincial priorities related to transfusion medicine activities. The PBCO provides secretariat support for TMAG meetings. The PBCO also facilitates and coordinates initiatives and activities that may be led by TMAG members.
MANDATE
TMAG's mandate is to provide the BC Ministry of Health with ongoing and timely advice on:
- • The design and implementation of cost-effective, high quality, patient focused transfusion medicine that will best serve the patients of British Columbia;
- • The design and implementation of cost-effective blood utilization management initiatives;
- • Responses during real or perceived crises or emergency situations;
- • The development of blood program related policies and priority setting;
- • The emerging scientific issues related to quality, safety of blood and blood products and the ongoing surveillance of transfusion related adverse events;
- • Training, continuing education and professional development for physicians and other professionals engaged in the practice of transfusion medicine; and
- • The regulations, standards and procedures of the Canadian blood system.
MEMBERS
TMAG consists of representatives from the BC Ministry of Health, regional health authorities, Canadian Blood Services and the PBCO. Click here for a
