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Bringing clarity to complexity
The seventh edition of ‘Practical Transfusion Medicine’, edited by Professors Michael Murphy, Nancy Dunbar and Erica Wood, is an up-to-date practical guide to transfusion medicine. The aim is to provide a concise yet comprehensive reference tool that takes the reader through the principles of transfusion medicine, clinical transfusion practice, complications of transfusion, and cellular and tissue therapy. It focuses on both current transfusion practice and future developments. The authorship is international with a number of Australian contributors, making it a useful local resource.
Dr Erin O’Reilly from The Royal Children’s Hospital, and co-author of the chapter on obstetric transfusion medicine, with Drs Anna Parakh and Helen Savoia, said that: “This chapter provides an updated, evidence-based overview of transfusion management in pregnancy and the peripartum period in a structured approach, beginning with routine antenatal screening for maternal blood group and red cell antibodies, followed by detailed discussion of RhD prophylaxis, and the identification and management of perinatal anaemia.
"There is a detailed discussion of the identification and management of haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), including recent advances in the use of non-invasive prenatal testing to increase the precision of identifying pregnancies at risk of severe HDFN. Obstetric haemorrhage, the leading cause of maternal mortality globally, is addressed with a focus on early recognition and evidence-based management to reduce morbidity and mortality. Key references and suggestions for further reading are included.”
'Practical Transfusion Medicine'
A comprehensive reference tool that takes the reader through the principles of transfusion medicine, clinical transfusion practice, complications of transfusion, and cellular and tissue therapy.
Register now to attend in person or online - Monday 24 August
The Blood Synergy Program from the Transfusion Research Unit at Monash University has announced this year's Open Meeting. The meeting will showcase research that is addressing gaps to reframe clinical practice.
For more information on Blood Synergy’s program of transfusion research visit: Blood Transfusion Research Australia - Blood Synergy.
RCT of prehospital whole blood in life-threatening traumatic haemorrhage
Blood boxes were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio and packed with either whole blood or standard blood components. Participants in the whole blood group were transfused up to 2 units of whole blood (group O, with low levels of anti-A and anti-B antibodies) whilst the standard-care group received up to 2 units of red cells and 2 units of plasma (thawed or lyophilized).
Of the 942 randomised, after exclusion of pre-specified patients (with nontraumatic haemorrhage or traumatic cardiac arrest at the time of ambulance service arrival), 616 participants (314 whole blood and 302 standard care) were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was a composite of death from any cause or massive transfusion (≥ 10 units of any blood component in adults or ≥ 40 mL/kg in paediatric participants) within 24 hours after randomisation. This occurred in 48.7% of participants in the whole blood group and 47.7% in the standard care group, revealing no statistically significant difference (adjusted relative risk, 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.80 to 1.31; P = 0.84).
Tea with the TPs - 2026 monthly forums
On the first Wednesday of each month, we bring together transfusion practitioners and health professionals for thought-provoking TP style discussion.
Join us in May for 'Therapeutic apheresis: It's all about the blood!'
Explore the role of replacement fluids in therapeutic apheresis as Sarah Doyle, Clinical Nurse, walks us through:
- key therapeutic apheresis procedures
- two engaging case studies, including red cell exchange and a cryoglobulinaemia “curveball", and
- how clinical decision-making comes together in real world practice.
June - IVIg: 'What do TPs need to know?'
This forum presented by Nicci Ginman, State-wide Immunoglobulin Nurse Consultant (SA), will cover IVIg products and indication, administration and considerations, potential adverse effects, and more.
July - 'Pack check tool: Revised and refreshed'
This is part two of our bedside checking discussion with Jo Goodwin, Transfusion Nurse Consultant, as we run through Lifeblood's revamped Pack Check tool.
Updated Cochrane review on antifibrinolytics for bleeding prevention in people with haematological disorders
Individuals with haematological disorders often face a high risk of severe or even life-threatening bleeding due to thrombocytopenia, commonly caused by the underlying disease or chemotherapeutic agents, or both. This is despite routine prophylaxis with platelet transfusion once the platelet count drops below a certain threshold. Platelet transfusions carry risks and may cause serious adverse events. This updated Cochrane systematic review examined antifibrinolytics as adjuncts to prophylactic platelet transfusion, specifically the lysine analogues, tranexamic acid (TXA) and epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA).
The review evaluated the benefits and harms of TXA or EACA in preventing bleeding among people with haematological disorders requiring prophylatic platelet transfusion. It included 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 4 of which were new, covering a total of 1,041 participants (evidence current to January 2025). Six trials compared TXA to placebo. Bleeding severity was assessed using the WHO bleeding scale.
Episode 3: From lab to life: Haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and HLA-compatible platelets
We’d love you to join us for the final episode in this series highlighting the life-saving work of Lifeblood’s Transplantation and Immunogenetics Services (TIS).
Speaker: Cathie Hart, Senior Transplantation and Immunogenetics Scientist (VIC)
Tuesday 26 May 2026
2.00-3.00pm
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
100-154 Batman Street West Melbourne VIC 3003
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