Nurses play a critical role in triaging anaemic patients, monitoring anaemic patients during hospitalization, including watching for signs of decompensation and knowing when to alert the clinician with concerns. We are also integral to transfusion medicine, with a focus on understanding the different blood products available, how to administer them safely, and closely monitoring for transfusion reactions and the necessary treatments.
Anaemia can be either primary or secondary, resulting from a range of conditions such as immune-mediated haemolysis, trauma, or reduced red blood cell production. We'll refresh on the role of red blood cells, the clinical signs patients may exhibit, and how these can guide our initial diagnostic approach. The session will cover the differences between acute and chronic anaemia, how to stabilize affected patients, and the medications that can help prevent further red blood cell loss or destruction.
Recorded 24 February 2026
Speaker:
Lauren Kirby
RVN, AVN, Cert IV VN, CertVNECC, VTS(ECC), RECOVER Certified BLS&ALS Instructor
Her journey began in veterinary ophthalmology, but in 2015, she discovered her true calling in emergency and critical care. Since then, she has worked in private and academic specialty referral hospitals, navigating the high-stakes world of emergency medicine with skill and compassion. She has a particular passion for ventilators and respiratory medicine, compromised renal patients, alongside critically ill septic patients, where her technical expertise, compassionate care, and attention to detail make a meaningful difference in patient outcomes.
As a RECOVER CPR-certified instructor in Basic and Advanced Life Support, Lauren is dedicated to improving veterinary standards through advanced, evidence-based resuscitation training. Her commitment to professional growth earned her a Certificate in Veterinary Nursing for Emergency and Critical Care (CertVNECC) in 2017. In 2022, she achieved one of the highest honours in her field by passing the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) board exam in Emergency and Critical Care, securing her place among the elite members of the Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians and Nurses (AVECCTN).
Beyond the clinic, Lauren is a passionate educator, driven by the belief that knowledge should be shared. Lauren is a veterinary educator and trainer who lectures, tutors, and leads immersive simulation sessions nationally and internationally. She is dedicated to advancing clinical skills, elevating patient care, and inspiring both current and future generations of veterinary nurses.
