Disaster planning: the role of the transfusion practitioner

Abstract

The skill set of the transfusion practitioner predominantly focuses on staff and patient education, adverse events, transfusion governance and monitoring of transfusion practices within organizations, to ensure current clinical practices align with state, national, and international guidelines and standards ( Transfus Med Rev , 2015, 29 , 138–44). The transfusion practitioner ( TP ) working in a multidisciplinary setting has a unique position, mostly within the health service setting, to play an important role in integrating transfusion planning during the developing and implementing of local, regional and national disaster plans. This review article reflects the role of the TP in recent and potential role they could play in planning for possible future major events.