Developing a cells, tissue and organ surveillance system

Area of Science:

• Transplantation Science
• Public Health Surveillance
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Increasing volume of cell, tissue, and organ transplants in Canada.
• Public Health Agency of Canada is developing a Cell, Tissue and Organ Surveillance System (CTOSS).

Purpose of the Study:

• To generate timely, relevant national data on transplantation adverse events.
• Enhance provincial and territorial data collection systems for transplantation surveillance.

Main Methods:

• Established minimum data elements and definitions for tissue transplants, referencing EU and US standards.
• Initiated data collection on adverse events for human allograft tissue transplants in April 2011 at pilot sites across Canada.

Main Results:

• By December 2013, eight adverse events related to tissue transplantation were reported.
• The reported events included seven cases involving corneal tissue and one involving cardiovascular tissue.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive Cell, Tissue and Organ Surveillance System (CTOSS) can enhance patient safety in Canada.
• Improved data collection and analysis will deepen understanding of transplantation adverse events, informing prevention strategies and reducing event severity.
• Future development includes defining data elements for cell and organ transplants and expanding pilot site participation.