Transfusion Services

The Transfusion Service provides a comprehensive set of blood banking, blood donor, and therapeutic technologies in support of all clinical departments of UMass Memorial Medical Center. Safe and appropriate blood products are provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, along with consultation and a range of therapeutic interventions.

A fixed donor site on the University Campus, supplemented by mobile collections at affiliated institutions, draws over 6,000 whole blood units each year, from which we make red cell, platelet and fresh frozen plasma products. The donor program also provides the opportunity for appropriate patients to donate blood for themselves (autologous donation). The Donor Pheresis Program prepares approximately 1,200 - 1,500 platelet products annually, and the same technology is utilized to collect stem cells for a growing array of applications - from treatment of cancers and leukemias to the repair of immunologic deficiency and dysfunctional states. The highly trained and experienced nurses perform therapeutic plasmapheresis under our medical direction for a number of life-threatening disorders, as well as several hundred therapeutic phlebotomies annually to prevent or arrest tissue and organ damage by the iron overload of hemochromatosis.The red cell overload of polycythemia vera is similarly treated.

The Blood Bank at both campuses stocks and issues several preparations of clotting factor in addition to the red cell, platelet and plasma products referred to above. Patient specimens are tested for ABO and Rh type and for antibodies to red cell antigens. If the antibody screening is positive, antibody specificity is determined, most often within our own laboratories and a formal report prepared, with detailed recommendations for safe future blood products. Technical and medical staff of the Transfusion Service investigates reactions suspected to be associated with infused blood product(s) and issue formal consultative reports of its findings.

A highly experienced and knowledgeable staff of certified medical technologists and technical assistants performs the blood typing, testing, crossmatching and problem resolution 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Registered nurses perform all blood donor and therapeutic services, the latter available 24/7 in true emergencies.

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