Physicians with interest or expertise in transfusion medicine must apply th
eir clinical consultation and laboratory management skills to be accorded s
upport for their activities. To establish credibility, efforts must initial
ly be directed where patient benefit and financial gain can be documented.
Focusing efforts on practice improvements and sharing the results of those
efforts with physician colleagues and administrators can help ensure contin
ued support. Transfusion medicine continues to play an important role in he
alth care, particularly in an era of managed care and reduced resources. In
vestment in the activities of this discipline will pay off for patients, cl
inicians, and hospitals.