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Patient blood management is a patient-centered, evidence-based approach to eliminating unnecessary blood transfusions.
In addition to our six-point patient blood management plan, the bloodless medicine service has become an integral part of the patient blood management program. Our bloodless medicine service treats patients who refuse transfusions with dignity and respect. Bloodless medicine involves the same principles as patient blood management with the only difference being that, for these patients, transfusion is not a last resort — it is not an option at all.
The patient blood management committee may provide guidance to the bloodless medicine program and to the medical staff who treat bloodless medicine patients. In turn, our efforts to reduce transfusions throughout UPMC are rewarded when treating patients who refuse blood transfusions.
UPMC offers the following blood management strategies and techniques:
Preoperative correction of anemia
A significant number of patients requiring elective surgery have anemia (low blood counts). Determining the cause of the anemia is essential in determining appropriate treatment, which can include the use of nutrition, iron, vitamins, and pharmaceutical agents.
Intraoperative blood cell recovery and reinfusion
This technology captures blood lost during surgery, cleans it, and reinfuses it to the patient.
Hemodilution
This procedure involves removing a specific amount of blood before surgery, immediately replacing it with intravenous fluids, and then returning it to the patient after surgery. The goal is to reduce or eliminate the need for blood transfusions during surgery.
Thrombin and adhesives
The use of human-derived and synthetic products supports the body’s ability to clot, reducing bleeding during surgery.
Meticulous surgical techniques, minimally invasive surgery, and electrocautery
The use of smaller surgical instruments and incisions helps reduce blood loss during surgery. Surgeons can perform many procedures — joint replacements, heart and cancer surgeries, even organ transplants — without needing to use banked blood. Learn more about bloodless surgery.
For more information about the Patient Blood Management Program at UPMC, please contact us at 1-877-674-7111.
During a recent virtual seminar, David James Kaczorowski, MD, who specializes in cardiothoracic transplantation, discussed expanded treatment options for heart transplant patients who cannot accept blood transfusions. For details, read the article, “Heart Transplant Without Blood Transfusion.” If you would like to be kept up to date on future seminars, please submit your email address in the “Contact Us” tab.
If you wish to refuse blood and/or blood products for a procedure, hospital stay, etc., you can save time by completing a Release From Liability for Failure to Administer Blood Transfusion Form (RFL) for Patients Who Decline Transfusions (PDF).
Bloodless medicine solutions are available for expecting mothers who choose not to receive blood transfusions. Connect with a bloodless medicine advocate early in your pregnancy and learn about available options. Call 877-674-7111 to get started.
