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