title: The evolving role of the transfusion practitioner.
abstract: Much of the recent work in transfusion practice has shifted to focus on the patient, after efforts over previous decades to ensure the quality and safety of blood products. After the commencement of hemovigilance and transfusion practice improvement programs, the introduction of transfusion practitioners (TP) into health care services and blood centers has continued to increase worldwide. Since this relatively new role was introduced, much work of the TP has focused on patient and staff education, adverse events, transfusion governance, and monitoring of transfusion practices within organizations. The complex nature of the transfusion process makes the TP an integral link in the transfusion chain. Together with hospital transfusion teams and committees, the TP works collaboratively to facilitate the transfusion change management programs and initiatives. Recently, the TP role has evolved to include an emphasis on patient blood management and, to some extent, is shaped by national standards and regulations. These established roles of the TP, together with the ever-changing field of transfusion medicine, provide new opportunities and challenges for a role that is continuing to evolve worldwide.
authors: The Alfred, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: K.miller@alfred.org.au.
authors: Kristy
authors: K
authors: Miller
authors: The Alfred, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Blood Matters Program, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: C.akers@alfred.org.au.
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Akers
authors: The Alfred, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: Am.Davis@alfred.org.au.
authors: Amanda K
authors: AK
authors: Davis
authors: Transfusion Research Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: erica.wood@monash.edu.
authors: Erica
authors: E
authors: Wood
authors: Eastern Health, Maroondah Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: Clare.hennessy@easternhealth.org.au.
authors: Clare
authors: C
authors: Hennessy
authors: Blood Matters Program, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: lbielby@redcrossblood.org.au.
authors: Linley
authors: L
authors: Bielby
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D001771:Blood Banks / Q000458:organization & administration; D058731:Blood Safety; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003625:Data Collection; D014943:Global Health; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008485:Medical Audit; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D012380:Role; D064826:Transfusion Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000639:trends*
keywords: Hemovigilance; Transfusion practitioner; Transfusion safety