The Role of the Laboratory Physician for Blood Bank in Local Hospital / 대한수혈학회지

ABSTRACT

The goal of the laboratory physician is to achieve appropriate laboratory management for diagnosis of disease, proper therapy directions, anticipation of prognosis, health checkup, and consultation with each clinical department. In the laboratory department, the blood bank works with blood, which is a precious resource for appropriate care of patients. This article described the role of the laboratory physician in the blood bank of the local hospital, which is a common hospital type in Korea. The environment of laboratory medicine is constantly changing and tends to be restricted due to health insurance burdens. The blood bank has essential characteristics which remind laboratory physicians of the need for safe and proper usage of blood. The role of the transfusion medicine specialist in the local hospital is summarized as 1) central role as the manager for proper and safe transfusion 2) education of hospital workers, including clinical physicians 3) strict quality control and participation in laboratory accreditation programs 4) consultation with hospital staff 5) continued promotion of quality improvement 6) assessment of proper and safe blood usage 7) proper management of hospital transfusion committee 8) participation in hemovigilance programs 9) development of new laboratory territory. Laboratory physicians should obey the principles of transfusion medicine and make an effort to manage the blood bank efficiently.