Transfusion Medicine Services

General Information

• Primary Contact Number: 984-974-1780
• Medical Director Transfusion Medicine Service: Matthew S. Karafin, MD, MS
• Director, Blood Bank: Matthew S. Karafin, MD, MS
• Director, Blood Donation Center: Mariama Evans, MD
• Director, Apheresis: Matthew S. Karafin, MD, MS
• Director, Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Laboratory: Yara Park, MD
• Laboratory Manager: Caroline Immel, MBA, MT(ASCP)
• Location: 1021 East Wing

Documents and Forms

• Available Blood Products
• Autologous and Directed Donor Information-

  For patients interested in autologous or directed donation, the patient or the patient’s provider should contact the American Red Cross to coordinate the donation.

  https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/types-of-blood-donations/autologous-and-directed-donations.html

• Criteria for transfusion: Adults
• Criteria for transfusion: Pediatric
• FAQ for Informed Consent
• Informed Consent for Blood Products Suggested Discussion Points with Patients
• Standard Surgical Blood Order Schedule

Accreditation Certificates

• AABB
• Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy

Additional Information

Apheresis Clinic

• Inpatient and outpatient therapeutic apheresis services are available after consultation with a TMS physician. Consultation and inpatient services are available 24-7 for emergencies after hours, weekends, and holidays.
• Procedures performed include plasma exchange, red cell exchange, LDL apheresis, photopheresis, and cytoreduction. Peripheral blood stem cells are collected for stem cell transplant, and mononuclear cells are collected for CART.
• Apheresis Outpatient Clinic: 984-974-1785 (Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 3:30 pm to speak with one of our RNs)

Transfusion Medicine

• Primary Contact: 984-974-1780
• A TMS attending physician is available at all times for consultation and evaluation of testing results and consultation for transfusion of blood and blood products.

Emergency Release

• Blood can be released without waiting for completion of patient testing upon request by the patient's physician.
• A pink Emergency Release Card must be completed and signed by a physician accepting responsibility for the uncrossmatched blood.
• Bring the Emergency Release Card and, if possible, a patient sample to the Transfusion Medicine Service.

Surgery Patients

• Patients being evaluated for elective surgery can have their blood drawn up to 30 days prior to surgery.
• The patient cannot have been pregnant or transfused in the preceding 3 months.