The concept of blood bank has undergone a sea change over the last three decades and a half with transfusion medicine taking over and dealing with management of blood-related ailments, said experts at a workshop at the SUM Hospital here on Saturday.
Today immunohematology and transfusion services are inseparable as transfusion medicine encompasses all aspects of transfusion of blood and blood components, State Director, Medical Education and Training Prof CBK Mohanty said.
Maintenance and observation of blood safety is more important, he said, adding that scientific approach to blood transfusion had expanded.
Transfusion medicine, also known as transfusiology, which began in the USA in 1987 is the branch of medicine that is now playing an important role in patient care, he said.