CBS reviews KPMG report on New Brunswick blood options

Canadian Blood Services has reviewed the KPMG report entitled "Independent Review of New Brunswick Blood Options", commissioned by the Government of New Brunswick and the New Brunswick Medical Society. The 188-page report is a thorough and thoughtful analysis from an independent, respected auditing firm and provides the people of New Brunswick with concrete facts and considerations of their options on the future of the blood system.

KPMG worked closely with staff from the Department of Health and the New Brunswick Medical Society to ensure the study would be valid. "The project sponsors reviewed and approved evaluation criteria, the financial assumptions and analysis, risks, the evaluation results and all other materials presented," states the report. The firm conducted extensive stakeholder consultations with New Brunswick's hospital and medical communities and many others, and received full cooperation from Canadian Blood Services.

Although the report does not make a specific recommendation, it does outline clear benefits to New Brunswick in safety, cost and sustainability to remain part of Canadian Blood Services. More specifically, in evaluating the three options available to the province against seven criteria (patient safety, strategic fit, cost, sustainability, capability, efficiency and donor impact), the report gave Option 1 (to remain in partnership with Canadian Blood Services by adapting to the Facilities Redevelopment Plan through consultation and cooperation) the highest ranking at 97.9 per cent. It also found it most to be in line with the recommendations of the Krever Inquiry on tainted blood.

Canadian Blood Services was reassured to read the results of this independent assessment and in particular to learn that when interviewed by KPMG, 85 per cent of stakeholders (including physicians from a variety of specialities, blood bank technologists and hospital leadership) indicated their preference is to remain in partnership with the national blood system.

Concerns have been raised about the availability of blood after the consolidation of production in Dartmouth. KPMG found that with the maintenance of an inventory stock holding unit and the continuation of aphaeresis collection in the province, blood and blood products will remain easily accessible and readily available. Regardless of where the production facility resides, Canadian Blood Services will continue to support current hospital services and expected growth.

The report also offers some insightful suggestions for the province to consider moving forward, many of them echoed by a statement from the NB Medical Society earlier this week, they include:

• "CBS should continue to engage its physician, hospital and blood bank customers in a thorough process to test new transportation routes, and develop detailed contingency plans"
• "to institute a monitoring program in collaboration with the medical community" … and "ensure that New Brunswick has a blood services system that supports our existing programs and any new patients service programs that are introduced in the future."
• "The Province and the selected blood system should work collaboratively to strengthen supply chain management across the Province", alluding to strategies to reduce wastage, improve service to northern hospitals, improve utilization and optimize inventory levels.

Canadian Blood Services will seek opportunities to discuss these recommendations with the Government of New Brunswick and the New Brunswick Medical Society.

To clarify, only one part of our Maritimes operations will be consolidated into Dartmouth in 2013 - we will continue to collect, distribute and store blood and platelets in the province. We are steadfast in our commitment to providing New Brunswickers - and all Canadians for that matter - with a safe and secure blood supply.

Finally, we would like to thank the donors, partners, employees and volunteers in New Brunswick, and remind them that regardless of their position on this issue, their support of blood donation helps save lives every day.