The role of the transfusion medicine consultant

Over the last 15 years, the field that was once known as blood banking has evolved into the discipline of transfusion medicine. Because of AIDS and a greater appreciation of other transfusion-transmitted diseases, attitudes toward transfusion therapy have changed significantly. Advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of anemia and thrombocytopenia, as well as new tools for transfusion support have created new roles for the transfusion medicine physician. The transfusion medicine consultant has the opportunity to influence and improve transfusion safety, and contribute positively to cost containment by providing expertise as an educator, auditor of blood component usage, and providing leadership or oversight of therapeutic modalities (such as autologous transfusion, intraoperative red cell salvage, and therapeutic apheresis).