Transfusion Medicine & Immunohematology

Our Services

Overview

Transfusion medicine (TM) is a field of medicine dealing with the removal and/or transfusion of blood or blood components. Traditionally, TM has been thought of as just blood collection, pretransfusion testing, and blood administration. The blood bank community goes to great lengths to ensure that blood component transfusions are safe and achieve the desired outcome. However, modern TM is so much more than blood banking. The future of TM lies in cellular therapies: the collection, processing, and infusion of bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cells, cord blood, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T cells). This chapter provides images and tables to provide insight into the exciting field of TM and cellular therapy.

Apheresis is a lead in the department of transfusion medicine.It is a technique in which whole blood is taken and separated extracorporealy, separating the portion desired from the remaining blood.Apheresis technique can be used for donation and as well as for therapeutic purposes.

Donations - Plateletpheresis, Plasmapheresis, Granulocytaphereis, Stem cell apheresis

Therapeutic indication- Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE), Erythrocytapheresis, Thrombocytapheresis, Leukacytapheresis, Cascade Plasmapheresis, Immuno-adsorption, Lipid apheresis- LP, Photopheresis -ECP, Rheopheresis

Also the latest techniques of cryopreservation, ROTEM, Massive Transfusion Protocol and management and latest immunohematological investigations provides light to the advanced technologies in the clinical management of patients.

Our Facilities

  • Blood collection room with latest technologies
  • Blood component separation and storage
  • Immunohematology lab with automation facility
  • Serology and NAT testing of blood donors
  • Apheresis
  • Stem cell apheresis (BMT) & Cryopreservation
  • ROTEM
  • Massive Transfusion Protocol
  • Coagulation analyser

Doctors

Dr. Vinu Vipin


Assistant Professor

Our Services

  • 24*7 service

    Experience the art of saving life by blood, from a full day functional Amala Blood Centre. 

  • Blood Centre Counselor

    A dedicated, qualified blood centre counsellor, who creates awareness among blood donors about the pre and post donation procedures. Also enlightens the donors about the Transfusion Transmittable Infections.

  • Voluntary Blood Donation

    Amala Blood Centre has facilities which provides a safe, hygienic blood donation enviornment- both inhouse and at outside hospital blood donation camps.

  • Blood collection Van

    A “mobile blood donation on wheel”, which provides a different experience of blood donation

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What does the Transfusion Medicine Department do?

    The Transfusion Medicine Department helps ensure that patients receive appropriate blood and blood components when needed. Its work includes blood grouping, compatibility testing, donor screening, and supporting safe transfusion practices.

  • What is immunohematology?

    Immunohematology is the study of blood groups and the immune reactions that can occur during blood transfusion. Professionals identify compatible blood and reduce the transfusion-related complication within an immunohematology laboratory.

  • When would a patient need a blood transfusion?

    A blood transfusion is needed when a body lacks a critical volume of blood or specific blood components to function properly. It is also needed after significant blood loss, during certain surgeries, or for medical conditions that affect blood cells etc. Before recommending one a blood transfusion centre in Thrissur like Amala Hospital will consider the patient’s symptoms and test results.

  • Why is blood crossmatching necessary before a transfusion?

    Crossmatching helps check whether donor blood is compatible with the patient's blood. It's an important safety step that reduces the likelihood of serious transfusion reactions.

  • Can anyone who is healthy donate blood?

    No, being “healthy” is not the only requirement for donating blood. Not everyone is eligible at every point, factors such as age, weight, haemoglobin level, medical history, and recent illness can affect the eligibility. A blood donation centre will assess these before accepting a donation.


  • Are blood transfusions completely risk-free?

    No medical procedure is entirely without risk, but blood transfusions follow established safety procedures. Blood is screened and checked for compatibility, and patients are monitored for possible reactions.

  • Why is regular voluntary blood donation important?

    Hospitals need a dependable blood supply for emergencies, surgeries, and patients with certain medical conditions. If you're planning to donate at a blood donation centre in Thrissur, check the eligibility requirements and donation timings before visiting.