The transfusion medicine rotation is four months long, with the first three months taking place early in the first year of residency and the latter one month as a senior resident.
Over the course of both rotations, the residents are introduced to basic technical, administrative, and clinical aspects of:
Immunohematology
Blood donor collections
Transfusion practices
Therapeutic apheresis
Tissue banking
Stem cell collection
The transfusion rotation is open to other non-pathology specialists interested in learning more about Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine and frequently has trainees from anesthesia, internal medicine, hematology/oncology, and nephrology on service. While on rotation, trainees are essential members of the transfusion team and will assist in direct patient care while on service. They will be under the direct supervision of the transfusion medicine fellow and/or attending(s).
Rotating trainees will be expected to participate in day call coverage, which includes covering calls from the UNMH blood bank. There will always be a backup attending. These calls may include:
Inventory management of blood products during shortages
Answering inquiries from clinicians regarding transfusion of blood products
Managing trauma, obstetric or pediatric massive transfusion protocols
Transfusion reaction investigation
Consulting on patient’s who refuse blood product transfusions (i.e., Jehovah’s Witness members)
Review of blood product modification requests (i.e., irradiation requests)
Locations:
The rotation primarily takes place at the University of New Mexico Hospital – the only level 1 Trauma center in New Mexico. Additionally, trainees spend dedicated time at both TriCore reference laboratories, gaining experience and exposure to coagulation testing and the local Vitalant Blood Donation center to learn more about volunteer blood donations.
