Blood Management
Blood Management offers our patients alternative approaches and uses numerous
techniques to decrease blood transfusions throughout the hospital.
With patient safety as a priority, the reduction in the use of blood products
has been triggered by several factors including:
- Risks associated with transfusion of blood
- Poor clinical outcomes associated with blood transfusions
- Blood shortage
- High cost of a blood transfusion
- Patients’ demands
Blood Management encompasses pre-operative planning that includes anemia evaluation and treatment and intra-operative and post-operative management.
Pre-Operative Anemia Clinic
For a patient with chronic anemia (low red blood cell count) this program utilizes numerous treatments and therapies to optimize a patient’s red cell count prior to surgery. Techniques include:
- Medical evaluation of anemia prior to surgery including a review of medication/herbal supplements
- Use of iron and vitamin supplementation
- Use of erythropoietin
Intra-Operative Management
During surgery, steps are taken to minimize blood loss. These techniques include:
- Normovolemic hemodilution before surgery
- Use of an intraoperative cell salvage device which collects, cleans and returns the blood to the patient
- Surgical and anesthesia techniques to minimize bleeding
Post-Operative Management
The postoperative management includes:
- Use of cell salvage techniques to collect blood from surgical drains
- Use of iron, vitamins and erythropoietin therapy
- Strategies to help an individual develop a greater tolerance to anemia
- Standardized blood utilization practices