The regional blood center medical director's role in transfusion safety

Abstract

One of the medical director's primary roles in safety of transfusion practice involves promoting the appropriate use of blood and blood components. The medical director also has a direct role in establishing donor screening and blood testing procedures aimed at decreasing the risk of transfusion-transmitted diseases. The ultimate goal of providing the safest possible blood transfusion requires interaction among the blood center medical director, hospital transfusion service directors, and clinicians. The role of the regional blood center medical director must be viewed in this context.