The field of medicine known as transfusion medicine is essential for saving lives and improving patient outcomes. It addresses issues such as stem cell collections, managing patient blood, immunohematology, and other laboratory testing for diseases carried by blood transfusions. It also covers the management of clinical transfusion practices. At the heart of this speciality is the safe and effective transfer of blood and its derivatives from healthy donors to patients in need. The discipline of Transfusion Medicine is pivotal in the treatment of various medical conditions, and its significance cannot be overstated.

We at Gleneagles Hospital are aware of the profound effects that blood transfusions may have on an individual’s life, and we have created a special unit for Transfusion Medicine to provide our patients with the best treatment and assistance.

Procedures Performed at Transfusion Medicine Units

Some of the critical procedures and services performed in Transfusion units include:

• Blood Donation and Collection - Transfusion Medicine units are responsible for collecting blood from voluntary donors. Donated blood is carefully screened for infectious diseases and processed into various components such as red blood cells, platelets, plasma, and cryoprecipitate.
• Blood Typing and Crossmatching - Identifying a patient's blood type and crossmatching donor blood to ensure compatibility is a fundamental task of Transfusion Medicine. This ensures the safe administration of blood products, reducing the risk of transfusion reactions.
• Specialised Blood Products - Patients with unique medical requirements, such as those with rare blood types or specific antibodies, may need specialised blood products. Transfusion Medicine units are equipped to provide these products and manage complex cases.

Work Units at Transfusion Medicine

• Donor Services - The majority of the blood products required by patients are obtained through donor services. They coordinate blood donation appointments, assess and coach prospective donors, and then collect their blood.
• Component Laboratory - Up to four people can benefit from the various components derived from each whole blood donation. The Component Laboratory produces these diverse blood products.
• Immunohematology Laboratory - The Immunohematology Laboratory assists patients who have developed antibodies against red blood cells due to previous exposures, such as pregnancy or transfusion. The laboratory determines the specific fraction of the red blood cell that the antibodies recognise.
• Transfusion Laboratory - The Transfusion Laboratory is responsible for ensuring the delivery of the finest and safest blood products to patients.