Patient Blood Management Strategies and Techniques

Patient Blood Management strategies and techniques offered include:
 
  • Preoperative correction of anemia. The use of nutrition, iron, vitamins, and pharmaceutical agents often can address anemia in patients requiring elective surgery.
  • Intraoperative blood cell recovery and reinfusion. This technology is used to capture blood lost during surgery, clean it, and reinfuse it to the patient.
  • Hemodilution. Blood is removed during surgery, replaced with intravenous fluids, and returned to the patient with the goal of reducing or eliminating the need for transfusions.
  • Minimally invasive surgery and electrocautery. Smaller incisions and surgical instruments reduce blood loss.
  • Thrombin and adhesives. Human-derived and synthetic products can support the body’s ability to clot and reduce bleeding.

Joint replacements, cancer surgeries, cardiac procedures, and organ transplants can be performed without the use of banked blood.  Reducing the use of banked blood not only limits the patient’s potential exposure to blood-borne disease, but also helps to ensure adequate blood supplies for use in other patients.

Coordinators at the Center for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery may be contacted at 1-877-674-7111.
 
​

​Contact Us

For more information on The Center for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery at UPMC, please contact us at 1-877-674-7111.

 

Using Your Blood for Natural Healing (PDF)

©  UPMC | Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences
Supplemental content provided by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions. All rights reserved.

For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.

UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. UPMC policy prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, genetics, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected group status. Further, UPMC will continue to support and promote equal employment opportunity, human dignity, and racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity. This policy applies to admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in UPMC programs and activities. This commitment is made by UPMC in accordance with federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations.

Medical information made available on UPMC.com is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely entirely on this information for your health care needs. Ask your own doctor or health care provider any specific medical questions that you have. Further, UPMC.com is not a tool to be used in the case of an emergency. If an emergency arises, you should seek appropriate emergency medical services.

For UPMC Mercy Patients: As a Catholic hospital, UPMC Mercy abides by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, as determined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. As such, UPMC Mercy neither endorses nor provides medical practices and/or procedures that contradict the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

© UPMC
Pittsburgh, PA, USA UPMC.com