About the Department

Department of Transfusion Medicine was started in the Year 2010, located in an area of around 8000 sq. ft. It is considered the state-of-the-art providing an adequate infrastructure for various activities related to Immunohaematology and Blood transfusion. We provide care for more than 20,000 patients annually for both inpatients and outpatients.

Sri Ramachandra Blood Bank is committed to providing quality transfusion services following approved standards using a professional team to achieve user satisfaction. It caters to the needs of Sri Ramachandra Medical College Hospital and Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre. It is equipped with state of the art equipment in the blood bank.

Blood banking is the process that takes place in the laboratory to ensure that donated blood or blood products are safe before they are used in blood transfusions and other medical procedures. Blood banking includes typing the blood for transfusion and testing for infectious diseases.

Team

Senior Consultant & HOCS
DR.R.KRISHNAMOORTHY, MD (IHBT)

Consultant 
Dr.A.Ashwin, MD (IHBT)

Associate Consultant
Dr.R.Niranj Rathan (IHBT)
Dr.Sampat Kumar Mulpuri (IHBT)

Clinical Focus

Processes and Procedures Carried Out In the Blood Bank Includes:

• Donor Blood Collection
• Blood Component Preparation & Storage:  Almost hundred percent of blood that is collected is separated into components. Equipment for preparation and storage of blood and components at appropriate temperatures are available. This ensures optimal utilization of donor blood.
• Blood Irradiation
• Plateletpheresis & Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Collection by Apheresis
• Train doctors for an MD course in Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion (three years full-time course) which is recognised by the National Medical Commission.

Who Are The Blood Donors?
All blood donors are volunteers. However, sometimes, a patient may want to donate blood a couple of weeks before undergoing surgery, so that his or her blood is available in case of a blood transfusion. Donating blood for yourself is called an autologous donation. Volunteer blood donors must pass certain criteria including the following:

• Must be at least 18 years of age, Must be in good health
• Must weigh at least 45 Kgs
• Must pass the physical and health history examination given prior to donation

Donor comfort is foremost in our minds and hence utmost care is provided to them before, during and after donation. The same is well exemplified in the donor waiting lounge, bleeding room and refreshment area. The donor is monitored throughout the blood collection process.. It is recommended that prospective donors eat prior to giving blood. After donation normal daily activities may resume. We do recommend that donors avoid lifting heavy weights or performing strenuous exercise for several hours. You may donate platelets and plasma by apheresis up to 24 times a year.

What Are The Components of Blood?
While blood, or one of its components, may be transfused, each component serves many functions, including the following:

• Red blood cells - These cells carry oxygen to the tissues in the body and are commonly used in the treatment of anaemia.
• Platelets - They help to arrest bleeding and are used in the treatment of leukaemia and other forms of cancer.
• White blood cells - These cells help to fight infection and aid in the immune process.
• Plasma - Is the watery, liquid part of the blood in which the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are suspended. Plasma is needed to carry the blood contents through the bloodstream. The functions of Plasma are:
  Maintains oncotic pressure
  Provides factors for blood clotting
  Balances the levels of sodium and potassium
• Cryoprecipitated AHF (Anti-Haemophilic Fraction) - The portion of the plasma, which contains clotting factors that help to control bleeding.

Blood Irradiation
Blood irradiation is done to inactivate T-lymphocytes present in the donated blood that may cause graft-versus-host disease which is a serious adverse effect.

Plateletpheresis & Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Collection by Apheresis
The department is equipped with a cell separator (Apheresis Machine).  This instrument enables collection of Single Donor Platelets (SDP) and stem cells. A SDP unit contains six times the quantity of platelets compared to what is prepared conventionally. Stem cell harvest from donors is undertaken to treat malignancies especially those of the blood. Therapeutic plasma exchange is also carried out by apheresis. This procedure is of immense help in certain neurological disorders.

What Tests Are Performed In the Blood Bank?
A certain set of standard tests is performed in the blood bank laboratory once blood is donated, includes but not limited to the following:

• Screening for Transfusion Transmissible Infections like
• Hepatitis viruses B and C
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Hepatitis B Core Antibody Test
• Syphilis
• Malaria
• Typing: ABO group (Blood type)
• Rh typing (positive or negative  for the antigen)
• Compatibility testing (Cross Match)
• Coombs test – Direct & Indirect
• Incomplete Antibody screen
• Incomplete Antibody Titre
• Leukocyte filtration (Selective) that is Leukocyte- filtered to remove white blood cells, which may produce antibodies and biochemical products that can cause fever in the recipient after transfusion. (These antibodies, with repeated transfusions, may also increase a recipient's risk of reactions to subsequent transfusions.)

Screening For Transfusion Transmissible Infections
Infectious disease screening is the first part of the blood processing system. We have two automated instruments dedicated for the purpose, thereby ensuring safe blood.

Coombs Test – Direct and Indirect, Incomplete Antibody Screen, Incomplete Antibody Titre
The immunohematology lab is well-equipped with a semi-automated platform that uses the el Column Agglutintion technology facilitating an antibody screen for any unexpected red blood cell antibodies that may cause problems in the recipient.

Community Activities

Blood donation camps are conducted throughout the year especially on occasions like June 14th (World Blood Donors Day) and October 1st (National Voluntary Blood Donation Day).

Timings

• Blood collection from donors – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Issuing of blood - round the clock.

CONTACT :

Immunohaematology & Blood Transfusion Medicine

Direct: 044-45928561 (8am-4pm)

Board: 044-45928500 (Ext.No.371)