It includes issues of blood donation, immunohematology and other laboratory testing for transfusion-transmitted diseases, management and monitoring of clinical transfusion practices, patient blood management, therapeutic apheresis, stem cell collections, cellular therapy, and coagulation.
Laboratory management and understanding of state and federal regulations related to blood products are also a large part of the field.
These blood components are then transported to a central location for processing such as fractionation, testing and redistribution.
In 1628, English physician William Harvey discovered that blood circulates around the body.
In 1665 another English doctor Richard Lower successfully used blood transfusion between dogs to keep them alive.
Training in transfusion medicine is covered by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA).
There are a series of guidelines and standards relevant to the laboratory released by the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA),[2] Australian and New Zealand Society of Blood Transfusion (ANZSBT)[3] and RCPA.
[9] There is the Better Blood Continuing Education Programme, which is organised by the EUB which is part of the SNBTS.
[11] These specialists are often considered consultants for physicians who require expert advice on the subjects listed above.