Introduction to Transfusion Medicine
Director:
Duration: 4 weeks
Students per month: 1
This rotation is designed as an introduction to the clinical
consultative area of transfusion medicine diagnostics and
therapy. The elective will be of interest not only to
students considering careers in pathology but will also be
of benefit to the students with plans for training in other
medical/surgical specialties.
During the 4-week block, the student will be exposed to various
facets of current transfusion practices including the indication/contraindications
of various blood products, the work-up of patients with complex
immuno-serologic problems, and issues involved in the collection
of both volunteer (allogeneic) and autologous blood. In
addition, the students will participate in the management
of a very active donor and therapeutic hemapheresis service
supporting a variety of medical and surgical specialties. The
core of the rotation will center on the transfusion medicine
clinical consultative service and will be augmented by a limited
core laboratory rotation stressing basic immunohematologic
techniques and assigned reading from the primary and secondary
medical literature dealing with transfusion medicine clinical
practice issues.
Upon completion of this rotation, the student should have
a greater appreciation for the complexities of transfusion
therapy today and a better understanding of the major issues
of interest to both patients and practicing physicians.
No nights or weekends during this rotation.
If you are interested in our 4th year elective, please submit an application.