TELECONSULTATION IN THE BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE

Background. The transfusion services supply hospitals with blood and perform all the necessary pre-transfusion tests for the patient. Since it is a 24-hour service, Slovenia needs to have 10 on duty physicians, specialists in transfusion medicine, or physicians who specialised in other fields of medicine but have completed a post-graduate coarse in transfusion medicine. By using a teleconsultation in the transfusion services, it would be possible to increase a blood safety and assure the possibility of non-stop (24-hours) professional consultations with the aid of modern technology. This may be of particular importance when there is no specialist in transfusion medicine present in the department for transfusion medicine. Methods. The transfusion services in Slovenia is performed at 11 institutions. Technically, it is supported by a suitable information technology, which can be upgraded to include the teleconsulting system, that enables exchange of professional information. The current information system supporting the transfusion services has been upgraded by the teleconsulting system which has already been tested in a pilot study. Results. In the pilot study, blood grouping results were interpreted correctly when a picture of the coded gel card was transmitted to an improvised teleconsulting centre. That was the first telemedical service of its kind in Slovenia. Conclusions. With appropriate organisation and by the virtue of teleconsulting system, it is possible to perform remote professional consultations. In this way telemedicine has found its place also in the field of transfusion medicine.