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Developing a cells, tissue and organ surveillance system
1Centre for Communicable Diseases and Infection Control, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON.
Background:
An increasing number of cell, tissue and organ transplant procedures take place each year in Canada, including procedures in clinics, physician and dental offices. The Public Health Agency of Canada (the Agency) is leading the development of a Cell, Tissue and Organ Surveillance System (CTOSS).
Objective:
To create timely, useful and relevant national-level transplantation adverse event data by supporting the development and / or enhancement of provincial and territorial data collection systems.
Methods:
Minimum data elements and definitions were established for tissues based on definitions established in the European Union and the United States. Data collection on adverse events related to human allograft tissue transplants began in April 2011 at pilot sites in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Results:
By December 2013, eight tissue transplantation adverse events were reported. Seven involved corneal tissue and one involved cardiovascular tissue.
Conclusion:
A fully developed CTOSS could increase Canadian capacity to improve patient safety. Data collection and analysis could increase the potential for a better understanding of transplantation adverse events, subsequently inform the development of strategies for overall prevention and reduce the severity of such events. The next steps in developing CTOSS will be to establish data elements and definitions for the cell and organ transplant components of the system and increase the number of pilot sites.
Insights
Canada
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.
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