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New 'Transfusion on-call resources' for haematologists
Quick, practical guidance for transfusion-related queries while on call.
We have a new collection of concise, practical PDF resources designed to support haematologists responding to transfusion-related queries while on call.
Each stand-alone PDF resource focuses on a specific transfusion topic, providing key information and practical guidance at a glance, making them a useful reference when a quick reminder is needed—day or night.
There are currently 13 resources covering a range of common and complex transfusion scenarios:
- Anti-G and anti-F antibodies overview
- Blood component modification in transfusion
- Positive crossmatch but antibody screen is negative
- Crossing ABO and/or Rh groups
- High-volume fetomaternal haemorrhage (FMH)
- Monoclonal antibody therapy and interference with pretransfusion testing
- Non-invasive prenatal analysis (NIPA) and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
- Paediatric and neonatal transfusion overview
- Platelet refractoriness
- The direct antiglobulin test
- Transfusing patients with red cell antibodies
- Panagglutination in transfusion medicine
- Acute transfusion reactions
Have a topic you'd like to see covered?
We'd love to hear from you.
Take our short survey to send us your suggestions for additional transfusion topics or on-call scenarios for future resources.
Spotlight on our 'Transfusion laboratory essentials'
A new publication in Transfusion and Apheresis Science highlights the success of Lifeblood's Transfusion laboratory essentials (TLE) program, an interactive online learning course developed to support early career and returning transfusion laboratory scientists.
The article describes how the program was created to address a recognised gap in transfusion-specific education and provide accessible, standardised training aligned with Australian laboratory practice standards.
Designed using adult learning principles, TLE combines interactive activities, case-based scenarios, videos and knowledge checks to complement workplace training and help scientists build confidence and competence in transfusion laboratory practice. Six of the planned 12 modules have been released to date, covering key topics including pretransfusion testing, blood group systems, ABO and Rh discrepancies, antibody investigations, and crossmatching.
As of April 2026, the program had attracted almost 4,000 enrolments and achieved an overall completion rate of 51%, significantly higher than typically reported for free, voluntary online learning programs. Learner feedback has been highly positive, with participants valuing the practical content, engaging format and real-world laboratory focus.
The publication concludes that TLE is helping strengthen capability within the transfusion workforce by supporting consistent laboratory practice and improving preparedness for safe transfusion testing. Future development will focus on completing the remaining modules and exploring advanced learning pathways.
Meet our team at BLOOD 2026
Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa (Auckland, New Zealand)
Ever wondered who develops the Transfusion laboratory essentials? Meet one of our experts at the Lifeblood booth from Sunday 18 October - Wednesday 21 October 2026.
Pretransfusion specimen audit: collection and rejection insights
Wednesday 7 October 11.30am-12.15pm (AEST)
Join Clare Hennessy, Blood Matters Program Manager, who will share key findings and insights from the Blood Matters 2026 Pretransfusion Specimen Collection and Rejection Audit.
Accurate pretransfusion specimen collection is critical to safe transfusion practice. This audit examined specimen collection processes, specimen rejection rates, and Wrong Blood in Tube (WBIT) events, along with the policies, governance frameworks, and monitoring systems that support safe transfusion practice across participating health services.
In this session you'll learn about:
- the latest audit outcomes
- emerging trends and challenges, and
- exploring opportunities to strengthen transfusion safety within your organisation.
View the full audit report via the Blood Matters Audits and Audit Reports webpage.
Clinical transfusion program - October
Don't miss the final Clinical transfusion program sessions for 2026 to gain practical insights to support safe, effective transfusion practice.
Wednesday 14 October - Obstetric transfusion
Presented by Lisa Clarke - Haematologist/Transfusion Medicine Specialist, Lifeblood. Haematologist, Sydney Adventist Hospital
Wednesday 28 October - Paediatric transfusion
Presented by Bryony Ross - Paediatric Haematologist, John Hunter Children's Hospital and NSW Health Pathology
We'll be back in 2027 with a new program, but in the meantime, you can catch up on all the recordings from our 2026 program on our YouTube channel.
In case you missed it
Standards
The National Pathology Standards (first edition, 2027) has been published as a draft until it comes into force in July 2027 through amendment to legislation. The incoming National Pathology Standards is the overarching Tier 2 document all pathology laboratories seeking to provide medicare funded services must be accredited to.
Recent publications
The Epidemiologic Study of Transfusion-Related Alpha-Gal Syndrome found that transfusion-related alpha-gal syndrome (TRAGS) may be a unique manifestation of alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) and a previously unrecognised risk associated with transfusion. In regions where AGS was prevalent, the findings revealed patients with blood type O were at significantly increased risk for allergic transfusion reactions to group B or AB platelet or plasma units.
The Intravenous iron to treat anaemia before cardiac surgery (ITACS) trial demonstrated that preoperative intravenous iron in patients with anaemia undergoing elective cardiac surgery was associated with a reduction in red cell transfusion and a small increase in the number of days alive and at home in the first 90 days after surgery.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
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