DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY DIVISIONS SECTION OF LABORATORY MEDICINE Transfusion Medicine The Division of Transfusion Medicine supports one of the largest transfusion services in the country transfusing more than 100,000 units of red cells and 100,000 units of platelets annually. The service covers 10 UPMC hospitals, providing a broad experience in both adult and pediatric transfusion medicine. The large organ transplant and stem cell transplant programs pose the greatest demands on the transfusion service and provide a rich source of patients and clinical material for academic and research pursuits. HIGHLIGHTS Transfusion immunomodulation - the division participates in a multi-institutional NIH study of the effects of transfusion on immune function Leukoreduction - leukocytes may also cause alloimmuniation or transmission of CMV in other patient populations such as stem cell organ transplant recipients. Research into the role of leukoreduction in these patients is ongoing. Other areas of interest include blood use patterns in transplant patients and donor safety issues.