Professional Practice
The Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusionists is the national regulating body for certified perfusionists which holds its annual meeting as part of the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress. A major portion of the annual meeting is made up of scientific sessions where perfusionists, physicians and industry representatives share presentations of interest. The Ontario Society of Clinical Perfusion meets biannually.
The Society also has its journal "The Perfusionist," which publishes original research and papers. It provides an opportunity for all Canadian perfusionists, in both official languages, to stay in touch with what is happening with the profession in Canada.
UHN has considerable experience in the area of ECMO, LVADs, transplants and complex cardiac surgery, providing opportunities to share the knowledge and experience accumulated here.
Inter-professional Collaboration
In the Operating Room, perfusionists work in the Cardiovascular Surgery, Vascular Surgery, General Surgery and Thoracic Surgery departments. The operation of cardiopulmonary bypass machines, autologous cell salvaging devices, ventricular assist devices and/or intra-aortic balloon pumps requires communication and consultation with surgeons, nurses, anesthetists, students and research personnel. All of these groups working together aim to provide exemplary care for patients undergoing operative procedures. In the intensive care units, perfusionists work mainly with physicians, surgeons, nurses, respiratory therapists, and physiotherapists. We all work together to support critically ill patients who may require extracorporeal life support while awaiting transplant surgery, after transplant surgery or to support them while their own hearts and/or lungs recover from illness.
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