(Chang-Keun Lee, IQMH Consultant Technologist is joined by IQMH Transfusion Medicine Scientific Committee members: Muskaan Kawatra, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, ON; Hakan Buyukdere, Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association, Ottawa; and Claire Qi, Mackenzie Health, Richmond Hill, ON)
The 2026 Canadian Society for Transfusion Medicine (CSTM) Conference brought together laboratory professionals, clinicians, researchers, and quality leaders from across Canada to explore the latest advances shaping transfusion medicine. As a long-standing contributor to quality improvement in laboratory medicine, IQMH was proud to participate by sharing innovative approaches to proficiency testing and educational assessment that support laboratories in delivering safe, high-quality patient care. The conference, held in Hamilton from June 4 to 7, provided an important forum for collaboration and knowledge exchange across the transfusion medicine community.
This year, IQMH presented two scientific posters that demonstrate how data-driven innovation can enhance proficiency testing and educational value for participating laboratories.
Using Machine Learning to Strengthen Educational Feedback
One poster explored how machine learning can be applied to proficiency testing to better understand laboratory performance patterns. By using automated clustering techniques, IQMH is investigating new ways to identify participant response trends to discordant findings investigations, reveal common learning needs, and deliver more meaningful educational insights. Rather than evaluating individual laboratories in isolation, this approach examines collective response patterns to inform targeted education and continuous quality improvement.
The work demonstrates the potential of emerging technologies to complement expert scientific review, allowing IQMH to provide richer educational feedback while maintaining transparency and scientific rigour. This research represents another step toward modernizing proficiency testing through data-informed framework.
Enhancing Learning Through Educational Proficiency Testing
IQMH also showcased its Transfusion Medicine Educational (TMED-E) program, highlighting how educational proficiency testing supports competency development through realistic clinical case studies. Unlike graded proficiency testing, the TMED-E program encourages laboratories to explore complex transfusion medicine scenarios, compare approaches with peers, and strengthen clinical decision-making in a collaborative learning environment.
Educational programs such as TMED-E reflect IQMH's commitment to supporting continuous professional development alongside technical excellence. By combining practical case-based learning with expert commentary, these programs help laboratories build confidence in managing challenging and evolving areas of transfusion medicine.
Driving Continuous Improvement Together
The CSTM Conference reinforces the importance of collaboration in advancing transfusion medicine. Through research, educational innovation, and engagement with laboratory professionals across Canada, IQMH continues to evolve its proficiency testing programs to meet the changing needs of the laboratory community.
We thank everyone who visited our posters, shared their perspectives, and contributed to the conversations throughout the conference. These discussions help shape future program enhancements and reinforce our shared commitment to quality, innovation, and safer patient care.
Together, we are advancing laboratory quality through collaboration, evidence, and continuous improvement.