Current issues in veterinary transfusion medicine

Abstract

Human and veterinary transfusion medicine is an area where there has been ongoing research and new developments. The way in which blood and transfusion products have been used has been questioned resulting in changes in their use and storage. In transfusion medicine, not only the research methods, but sometimes the application of the product itself, has raised ethical and moral questions, which has in part led to major differences between UK and US transfusion practices. Within the UK there is a rapidly growing demand for banked blood products and an increasing use in practice of both banked products and emergency whole blood donations. Registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) are now able to undertake further qualifications in emergency and critical care which includes the use of blood products. It is of vital importance for the RVN to keep up to date with current thinking on transfusion medicine and to ensure that transfusion guidelines and protocols within their work-place are up to date and evidence based.