Abstract
Transfusion medicine is a challenging and complex medical practice that occurs in virtually every hospital, except perhaps rehabilitation and mental health facilities, on a frequent, often daily, basis. The knowledge base required to effectively meet the standard of care for transfusion practice is increasing at a rapid pace. It is not unusual for patients with successful ABO changes due to bone marrow or stem cell transplantation to be treated in their local community hospital or even to receive such transplantations much closer to home than previously. Routine transfusions for patients with anemia, hemoglobinopathies, elective surgeries, and trauma, as well as the special needs of neonates and geriatric patients, are provided in hospital transfusion services of all sizes. In some hospitals, there are board-certified physician specialists in transfusion medicine who provide hands-on consultative services to their colleagues, whereas in other facilities, the technical specialists (including blood banking and specialist in blood banking certified personnel) shoulder much of the burden of providing these services.
