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. ABBREVIATIONS: ITS = interrupted time series; IVIG = intravenous immunoglobulin; SCIG = subcutaneous immunoglobulin.From the

The higher frequency of RBCT for unknown and low Hb supports the need for predelivery patient blood management at the time of delivery. The additional risk factors associated with RBCT identified may be used to develop risk stratification tools by mode of delivery to assist in the identification of patients at the highest risk of requiring RBCT.

Data from a large tertiary care center suggest that the risk of maternal and fetal exposure to blood products by transfusion during any stage of pregnancy is very low. Such a low likelihood of transfusion should be taken into consideration when developing donor deferral policies designed to protect women against transfusion-associated infection transmission during pregnancy and could inform evaluations of the risk of prenatal transfusion transmission of the Zika virus.

A strong association was found between implementation of a community-based multidisciplinary postpartum clinic and declines in postpartum length of stay. This alternative model of postpartum care is safe, has the potential for reducing provider costs and should be considered for further implementation at provincial and national levels.