Transfusion Medicine

Division of Transfusion Medicine

Blood Transfusion Clinical Practice Manual

Transfusion Medicine (TM) provides an essential 24/7 service for Transfusion Medicine, Stem Cell Transplantation, and Tissue Banking for London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and St. Joseph’s Health Care London (SJH). Additionally TM serves as a national reference laboratory aiding facilities with serologically complicated cases.

TM is committed to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients and users of the department. A key role of TM is to provide accurate results of ordered TM tests for safe and timely blood product transfusions for the patients of the community and region. This is achieved by working with members of other health care teams and health care providers within LHSC and SJH and beyond. TM works consistently with Canadian Blood Services to ensure there is an adequate and appropriate inventory of the various blood products and components for patient needs.

Transfusion Medicine

Performs appropriate pre-transfusion testing to provide serologically compatible blood products for patients based on currently accepted practice
Performs serological testing to aid in diagnosis of immune disorders or evaluation of certain diseases
Manipulates blood products for appropriate transfusion therapy
Provides technical/medical expertise both locally and abroad
Is committed to ensuring appropriate utilization of blood products
Provides services for stem cell collection, storage and reinfusion
Ensures appropriate Health Canada Regulations are followed for tissue banking practices
Assists in training of medical laboratory technology students, medical residents and other health care professionals
Participates in research for transfusion medicine and development of new methodologies
Helps research efforts of the hospital by providing immunohematology testing and advice