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Read what the experts say about blood |
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| The BENEFITS are vitally important to you. In many hospitals, more patients now choose non-blood for personal reasons than for religious reasons - WHY? |
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'Bloodless' Surgery |
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WHAT IS 'BLOODLESS' MEDICINE AND SURGERY?
A bloodless* medicine and surgery program cares for the medical and surgical needs of patients who choose not to receive blood and blood products. This type of bloodless medicine health care is made possible by utilizing a variety of strategies before, during and after surgery which involve specific pharmaceuticals, equipment and surgical technique.
A bloodless medicine and surgery program transcends most services from minimally invasive tests and procedures to complex cardiovascular, orthopedic, gastrointestinal and urologic surgery.
*"Bloodless" means medical or surgical treatment without the use of banked (stored) allogenic blood or primary blood components. Blood loss often occurs during surgery. A bloodless program endeavors to minimize blood loss by utilizing special blood conservation methods.
WHAT EQUIPMENT AND PHARMACEUTICALS ARE USED?
In caring for patients in our bloodless medicine and surgery programs, our staff may use the following technology and medications as directed by your physician:
Cell Saver:
Collects, cleans and re-circulates the patient's own blood during surgery.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber:
Delivers high concentrations of oxygen into the blood stream.
Harmonic Scalpel(tm):
Cutting and coagulation system that utilizes ultrasonic energy to provide precise cutting and coagulation of tissue.
Gamma Knife:
Precisely focused high dose radiation utilized during brain surgery.
Pulse Oximetry:
Tracks oxygen levels during surgery.
Synthetic Erythropoieten (EPO):
Stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.
Hemodilution & Volume Expanders:
Techniques to enhance the circulation of the patient's own blood utilizing intravenous fluids.
WHAT TYPES OF METHODS ARE BEING USED?
Preoperative Blood Enhancement Techniques
* Minimize blood draws and use of pediatric tubes.
* Erythropoieten (EPO) to stimulate red blood cell production and hemoglobin (if anemic).
* Oral or IV iron therapies to promote hemoglobin synthesis.
* Preoperative hemodilution with crystalloid IV solutions.
Intraoperative Blood Salvage Techniques
* Cell Save blood salvage and re-infusion by continuous flow.
* Hypotensive anesthesia to lower blood leakage.
* Hypothermia to decrease oxygen consumption.
* Intravascular coagulants to reduce blood loss.
* Normovolemic hemodilution.
Postoperative Volume Expansion and Hemoglobin Stimulation
* Erythropoieten (EPO) to stimulate red blood cell and hemoglobin production.
* Hetastarch and cystalloid fluids for volume expansion.
* High flow oxygen.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM?
* A bloodless medicine and surgery program coordinator who can take care of your personal and family needs.
* A multi-specialty physician panel.
* Simplified forms and protocols.
* Pharmaceutical and equipment inventories to meet your medical need.
* On-going in-service education.
WHAT TYPES OF PATIENTS ARE USING THIS PROGRAM?
There are a variety of reasons why individuals are interested in receiving bloodless medicine health care. These include:
Those whose religious tenets, such as Jehovah's Witnesses, prohibit them from accepting blood transfusions. This is a non-negotiable stand. Jehovah's Witnesses are currently the largest bloodless medicine user group in the country.
Those in the community who, due to medical concerns, refuse blood transfusions in order to minimize the risk of contracting blood-borne pathogens (HIV, Hepatitis, etc.) that might lead to infection and complications from standard therapy.
HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
If you would like to be contacted regarding a bloodless medicine and surgery program near you, please request more information or call 1-888-98-TENET.
Please click here to see a list of facilities with a bloodless medicine and surgery program.