Centralized transfusion service: a novel approach to the delivery of transfusion services.

The development and expansion of the CTS in Pittsburgh shows the feasibility of this transfusion medicine delivery system. Few of the changes driven by health care reform both improve patient care and reduce costs. When properly implemented, a CTS achieves these objectives, benefits the community as a whole, and enhances the role of transfusion medicine specialists and the blood center in the region.