Transfusion therapy refers to the infusion of donated whole blood or components of blood (such as plasma) into a patient. A variety of conditions may warrant a transfusion, such as acute blood loss from trauma or hemolytic anemia; clotting defects such as with hemophilia; or blood protein deficiencies as in serious intestinal and kidney conditions. Blood products may be taken from a hospital blood donor program or from a third party veterinary blood bank. Our blood donors are screened for infectious diseases and other illnesses to ensure the safety of blood products for our critically ill patients.