Transfusion Practitioners across the world Podcast

Hear from Transfusion Practitioners in 4 countries (England, Canada, Belgium and Australia) what their role involves and why it is so important in health care.

Episode 13: Transfusion Practitioners: working with neonatal and paediatric patients 

In this episode, Clare O'Reilly and Rachel Moss have an engaging discussion which includes managing transfusion volumes, transfusion reactions, relevant transfusion information for patients and parents and a look at patient blood management in this patient group.

TP podcast Episode 13

  • Changes in Transfusion Practice in Children and Adolescents over Time. Piekarski, F. et al. 2020. Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherpay.  47; 379-384
  • Consensus Recommendations for RBC Transfusion Practice in Critically Ill Children from the Pediatric Critical Care Transfusion and Anemia Expertise Initiative. 2018. Valentine, S.L. et al. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine.  19 (9); 884-898
  • Executive Summary of Recommendations and Expert Consensus for Plasma and Platelet Transfusion Practice in Critically Ill Children: From the Transfusion and Anaemia Expertise Initiative —Control/Avoidance of Bleeding (TAXI-CAB). Nellis, M.E. et al. 2022. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. 23(1); 34-51
  • Guidelines on the transfusion fetuses, neonates and older children. New, H.V. et al. 2016. British Journal of Haematology. 175 (5); 784-828
  • Individual - and hospital-level correlates of red blood cell, platelet, and plasma transfusions among hospitalized children and neonates: a nationally representative study in the United States. Goel, R. et al. 2020. Transfusion. 60; 1700-1712
  • International Forum on paediatric indications for blood component transfusion: Summary. Bruun, M.T. et al. 2019. Vox Sanguinis. 114; 523-530
  • Patient Blood Management Guidelines Module 6: Neonatal and Paediatrics. 2016. National Blood Authority. Australia
  • Patient blood management, what does this actually mean for neonates and infants? 2018. Crighton, G.L. et al. Transfusion Medicine 28(2); 117-131
  • Patient Blood Management for Neonates and Children Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: 2019 NATA Guidelines. 2019. Faraoni, D. et al. Journal Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anaesthesia
  • Paediatric transfusion. New, H.V. 2006. Vox Sanguinis. 90, 1-9
  • Pediatric Patient Blood Management Programs: Not Just Transfusing Little Adults. Goel, R. et al. 2016. Transfusion Medicine Reviews. 30 (4); 235-241
  • Perioperative paediatric patient blood management: a narrative review. Goobie, S.M., Faraoni, D. 2025. British Journal of Anaesthesia. 134(1); 168-179
  • Neonatal red blood cell transfusion. Villeneuve, A. et al. 2021. Vox Sanguinis 116; 366-378
  • Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) Annual SHOT Report (1996-2024). Narayan, S. et al., 2024. The 2023, Manchester: Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) Steering Group.
  • The Impact of Restrictive Transfusion Practices on Hemodynamically Stable Critically Ill Children Without Heart Disease: A Secondary Analysis of the Age of Blood in Children in the PICU Trial. Steffen, K.M. et al. 2023. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. 24(2): 84-92
  • Variation in Neonatal Transfusion Practice. Patel, R.M. et al 2021. The Journal of Pediatrics. 235; 92-99

 

Episode 12: Transfusion Practitioners Obstetric care: advancing blood management and safety

In this episode, Jana Vanden Broeck hosts an engaging discussion with Chelsea Anderson, a midwife from Australia, and Pascal Winter, a leading expert in transfusion practice from the UK. Together, they explore the crucial role of transfusion professionals in maternity care, addressing topics like managing iron deficiency and anemia during pregnancy, using RhD immunoglobulin to prevent complications, and handling heavy bleeding around childbirth. This episode highlights how effective blood management and transfusion practices can improve outcomes for mothers and babies globally.

References TP podcast Episode 12

  • Glazebrook B, Akers C, Bielby L, Bastin K, Von Wielligh K, Daly J. Quality audit of the guidelines for the use of RhD immunoglobulin in obstetrics: Are we getting it right? Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2020 Aug;60(4):504-508.
  • Hamm RF, Perelman S, Wang EY, Levine LD, Srinivas SK. Single-unit vs multiple-unit transfusion in hemodynamically stable postpartum anemia: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Jan;224(1):84.e1-84.e7. 
  • Kaserer A, Castellucci C, Henckert D, Breymann C, Spahn DR. Patient Blood Management in Pregnancy. Transfus Med Hemother. 2023 Jan 6;50(3):245-255.
  • Mayson E, Shand AW, Ford JB. Single-unit transfusions in the obstetric setting: a qualitative study. Transfusion. 2016 Jul;56(7):1716-22.
  • Minehart RD, Gallin H. Postpartum hemorrhage: The role of simulation. Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol. 2022 Dec;36(3-4):433-439.
  • Muñoz M et al. Patient blood management in obstetrics: management of anaemia and haematinic deficiencies in pregnancy and in the post-partum period: NATA consensus statement. Transfus Med. 2018 Feb;28(1):22-39.
  • Muñoz M et al. Patient blood management in obstetrics: prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage. A NATA consensus statement. Blood Transfus. 2019 Mar;17(2):112-136.
  • Ruiz de Viñaspre-Hernández R, Gea-Caballero V, Juárez-Vela R, Iruzubieta-Barragán FJ. The definition, screening, and treatment of postpartum anemia: A systematic review of guidelines. Birth. 2021 Mar;48(1):14-25.
  • Wiesenack C, Meybohm P, Neef V, Kranke P. Current concepts in preoperative anemia management in obstetrics. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2023 Jun 1;36(3):255-262. 

 

Episode 11: Transfusion Practitioners Haematology Oncology: advancing blood management and safety

In this episode, Transfusion Practitioners from Australia and the UK share their experiences and insights, highlighting their crucial work in haematology and oncology. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a student, or simply curious about transfusion medicine, this episode is packed with valuable information and inspiring stories.

 

Episode 9 & 10: Transfusion Practitioners support the non-medical authorization of blood

These episodes include interviews with three nurse practitioners from Australia, Canada and the UK who undertake non-medical authorization and prescription of blood or blood products. 

References TP podcast episode 9 and 10

Resources podcast 9 & 10

References podcast 9 & 10

 

Episode 8: Transfusion Practitioners talk about building a case for Transfusion Practitioners in your organisation. 

In this episode, Rachel Moss interviews Dr Naomi Rahimi-Levene who is Director of Blood Bank and Senior Haematologist at the Shamir Medical Centre in Tel Aviv about the process of implementing a Transfusion Practitioner and about the outcomes to date.

References TP podcast episode 8

Resources podcast 8

References podcast 8

The role of the transfusion nurse in the hospital and blood centre - Bielby - 2011 - ISBT Science Series - Wiley Online Library

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Episode 7: Transfusion Practitioners talk about patient blood management - part 2

In this episode, Transfusion Practitioners continue to explain patient blood management (PBM) programs, this time with a focus on those in place in different countries. If you have not listened to part 1 (episode 6) make sure to do that first.

References TP podcast episode 7

Resources podcast 7

Choosing Wisely Canada "Pause the draws" https://choosingwiselycanada.org/toolkit/pause-the-draws/

 

Episode 6: Transfusion Practitioners talk about patient blood management - part 1

In this podcast episode, Transfusion Practitioners explain patient blood management and look at examples of low-resource strategies that could be used to reduce the need for transfusion such as reducing iatrogenic anaemia and the use of single unit transfusion.

References TP podcast episode 6

Resources podcast 6

References podcast 6

 

Episode 5: Transfusion Practitioners talk about education

Education is another of the many roles of a Transfusion Practitioner (TP). In this podcast a group of TPs discuss the types and topics of education they provide to support patient safety.

References TP podcast episode 5

Resources podcast 5

References podcast 5

A survey of transfusion practitioners in international society of transfusion member countries: https://doi.org/10.1111/vox.12882

 

Episode 4: Transfusion Practitioners explore transfusion incidents

Investigating transfusion incidents is one of the many roles of a Transfusion Practitioner. In this episode, a group of TPs discuss what hemovigilance is, what they do when investigating incidents, and how this can contribute to patient safety.

References TP podcast episode 4

Resources podcast 4

 

Episode 3: Transfusion Practitioners talk about audit

Transfusion Practitioners talk about audits and provide some examples, tips and resources to help those in health services undertake audits to improve patient safety.

References TP podcast episode 3

Resources podcast 3

References podcast 3

  • Dowling SK et al. Audit and feedback for individual practitioners in the emergency department: an evidence-based and practical approach. CJEM. 2020;22(4):528-533. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32419681/
  • Ivers NM et al. Audit and feedback: effects on professional practice and healthcare outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;(6):CD000259. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22696318/
  • Ivers NM et al. No more 'business as usual' with audit and feedback interventions: towards an agenda for a reinvigorated intervention. Implement Sci.2014;9:14. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24438584/
  • Delaforce A et al. Overcoming barriers to evidence-based patient blood management: a restricted review. ImplementSci. 2020;15(1):6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31952514/
  • Staples S, Salisbury RA, King AJ, et al. How do we use electronic CDS and feedback to promote good transfusion practice. Transfusion. 2020 Aug;60(8):1658 1665. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32643142/
  • Sardar M, Azharuddin M, Subedi A, et al. Improving Blood Transfusion Practices in a Community Hospital Setting: Our Experience with Real Time Clinical Decision Support. Med Sci (Basel). 2018 Aug 22;6(3):67. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30135392/
  • Hibbs SP, Nielsen ND, Brunskill S, et al. The impact of electronic decision support on transfusion practice : a systematic review. Transfusion Medicine Review. 2015 Jan;29(1):14 23. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25535095/

 

Episode 2: How Transfusion Practitioners make a difference?

This episode features 2 eminent transfusion medicine specialists who have worked closely with transfusion practitioners for many years and they discuss how transfusion practitioners make a difference. If you are not sure what a transfusion practitioners are you may wish to go back to podcast number 1 about "what is a a transfusion practitioner?"

References TP podcast episode 2

References podcast 2

 

Episode 1: What is a TP? 

TP what does it stand for? Hear from Transfusion Practitioners in 4 countries (England, Canada, Belgium and Australia) what their role involves and why it is so important in health care.

References TP podcast episode 1

References podcast 1