Academy
CME theme: Patient blood management (PBM) - advancing from product to patient
Gita Negi
Daljit Kaur
Ashish Jain
The Department of Transfusion Medicine at AIIMS Rishikesh, in academic collaboration with the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT), The Netherlands, successfully organized a landmark Continuing Medical Education (CME) program titled “Patient Blood Management (PBM): Advancing from Product to Patient” on 11th July 2025. The event marked a significant step forward in fostering a multidisciplinary understanding of PBM and its clinical applications across the Indian healthcare landscape.
With over 299 participants (140 onsite and 159 online) from across the country representing a range of clinical specialties—including Anesthesiology, Obstetrics, Internal Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatrics and Transfusion Medicine—the CME served as a vibrant platform for cross-disciplinary knowledge exchange and strategy building. Held in the picturesque foothills of Uttarakhand at AIIMS Rishikesh, the conference embodied the spirit of innovation, integration, and implementation.
CME Group picture
The Evolving Paradigm of Transfusion Practice
Traditionally, transfusion practices have centered around product availability and correction of numerical thresholds. However, the global shift towards Patient Blood Management—a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach aimed at optimizing the care of patients who might need transfusion—has transformed how clinicians think about anemia, bleeding risk, and transfusion triggers.
In alignment with this shift, the CME was thoughtfully curated around the theme “Advancing from Product to Patient.” The sessions reflected the transition from reactive transfusion practices to proactive, patient-centered strategies that emphasize the conservation of patient’s own blood, judicious use of allogeneic transfusion, and improved clinical outcomes.
CME Inaugural ceremony
Expert Panels and Clinical Pearls
The academic program was enriched by lectures and panel discussions led by eminent national and international faculty, many of whom are stalwarts in Transfusion Medicine and PBM.
Meenu Singh, Executive Director of AIIMS Rishikesh, addressed the gathering and lauded the collaborative efforts with ISBT for promoting global best practices in transfusion. The inaugural session was graced by Jaya Chaturvedi, Dean, AIIMS Rishikesh, who welcomed the delegates and emphasized the importance of embedding PBM principles into medical curricula and institutional policies.
In a thought-provoking insight, Ratti Ram Sharma, Head Department of Transfusion Medicine, PGIMER Chandigarh, remarked, “Patient Blood Management should now be termed as Community Blood Management or even Public Blood Management,” emphasizing the public health dimensions and societal value of PBM.
One of the most evocative moments came from Satyam Arora, who said, “Like the Ganges, blood is precious. PBM is our commitment to keep it flowing pure, purposeful, and preserved for future generations.” This analogy deeply resonated with the audience, reinforcing the ethical and resource-conscious ethos of PBM.
The scientific program opened with a unique “Walk ’n’ Talk” PBM themed poster session, encouraging interactive learning and showcasing original work in PBM. This was followed by thematic academic sessions covering foundational concepts, data-driven decision-making, and global perspectives in PBM. Dedicated segments explored implementation strategies in perioperative, obstetric, and pediatric care, emphasizing the need for tailored, multidisciplinary approaches.
A highlight of the event was the experience-sharing session, titled “Exchanging PBM Vows,” where clinicians, residents, nursing officers, MSc students presented their original work on PBM applications and outcomes. The final session featured a scintillating simulation-based demonstration of hospital-wide PBM integration through a Role Play, followed by an outstanding panel discussion titled ‘’Blue Sky Thinking ‘’- Establishing Patient Blood Management Strategy at a hospital setting- A Multidisciplinary approach where a panel of experts from diverse specialties shared their inputs for establishing PBM strategies within institutional frameworks. A recurring emphasis was placed on multidisciplinary engagement, a core principle for effective PBM implementation.
Role play in action
A highlight of the event was the panel discussion on "Moving from whole blood transfusion to blood component therapy: Challenges & Mitigation strategies." The distinguished panel included Asst. Prof. Arun Bhandari from IOM, TUTH, Jitendra Pariyar and Bishesh Sharma Poudyal from CSH, Aparna Singh Shah representing WHO, and Rekha Manandhar Shrestha from NBBTS. The panellists shared insights on the practical challenges faced in implementing component therapy in Nepal's healthcare system and discussed potential strategies to overcome these obstacles. This was followed by an open discussion that encouraged participation from all attendees.
The CME program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Srijana Koirala, Department Head Pathology, CSH, followed by a dinner for all participants. This educational event is of significant importance to Nepal's healthcare system as it addresses the critical transition from whole blood transfusion to component therapy, representing an important advancement in transfusion medicine practices. Overall, feedback from the participants was very positive, and they expressed that CME was very informative. By facilitating knowledge exchange between local and international experts, the program highlighted challenges specific to Nepal and outlined potential improvement strategies. The comprehensive discussions on patient blood management, rational use of blood components, and the importance of hemovigilance systems provided valuable insights for improving transfusion practices and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes across Nepal's healthcare institutions.
Panel discussion
Roleplay: PBM in Practice
One of the most appreciated segments of the day was the ‘PBM Role Play’ session, designed to demonstrate real-world application of PBM principles in a simulated hospital setting. This immersive session was uniquely crafted with live role enactment of a clinical team—including a surgeon, anesthetist, intensivist, nurse, and transfusion specialist—handling a patient undergoing elective surgery who might have required blood transfusion.
The scenario unfolded the three pillars of PBM: 1. Optimizing red cell mass through early anemia detection and treatment, 2. Minimizing blood loss and bleeding using surgical and pharmacologic methods, and 3. Harnessing patient-specific tolerance to anemia with restrictive transfusion thresholds.
Attendees found the roleplay highly relatable and effective in connecting theoretical knowledge with bedside decision-making. The realistic dialogue, inter-professional tension, and evidence-based resolution made this an instant highlight of the program. This also led to a massive awareness in our own institution and has paved the way ahead for better inculcation of PBM strategies into routine patient management.
Launch of the AIIMS Rishikesh Alumni Chronicles: A PBM Handbook
Another proud moment of the day was the launch of the “AIIMS Rishikesh Alumni Chronicles – Illustrated Handbook on Patient Blood Management.” This one-of-its-kind handbook is a collaborative effort by the alumni of the Department of Transfusion Medicine guided by the faculty. It combines academic precision with visual storytelling to distill complex PBM concepts into digestible, illustrated content. Designed as a practical companion for clinicians, the handbook includes infographics, algorithms, and clinical vignettes covering anemia management, surgical PBM pathways, transfusion triggers, and blood conservation techniques. The project not only showcased alumni engagement but also underlined the department’s commitment to educational innovation and outreach. The same handbook was shared with all the CME attendees.
Multidisciplinary Participation: A Key to PBM Success
The diverse clinical audience made for lively discussions and knowledge sharing. Feedback forms and interactive Q&A sessions revealed that many clinicians appreciated the clarity PBM brought to their routine practices. Several participants remarked on the immediate applicability of the tools discussed, such as PBM checklists, anemia clinics, and lab parameters like reticulocyte hemoglobin and transferrin saturation.
The CME also addressed institutional readiness for PBM, including: • Need for PBM committees • Integration into hospital information systems • Role of transfusion audits and feedback mechanisms • Patient education and informed consent practices
By engaging nursing staff, residents, and policymakers, the CME reinforced the idea that PBM is not just a clinical tool— but an institutional culture.
The Road Ahead
As India continues to modernize its healthcare delivery, the adoption of PBM principles offers a compelling strategy to improve patient outcomes while conserving limited blood resources. Programs like the one held at AIIMS Rishikesh reflect the growing momentum in this direction. The organizers plan to continue academic engagement through workshops, simulation modules, and e-learning platforms. There are also plans to build a PBM implementation toolkit tailored for Indian hospitals, drawing from the feedback and clinical inputs gathered during the CME.
ISBT Academy Support
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