Bloodless Medicine and Transfusion-Free Surgery

Bloodless medicine and transfusion-free surgery, also called transfusion-free medicine, is medical and surgical care without blood transfusions. This type of care may be important for patients because of religious beliefs, personal choice or medical needs. Our team works with patients and their doctors to plan care that respects their wishes and helps reduce the need for blood products whenever possible.

If you are planning surgery, a medical procedure or an obstetric admission and do not want blood transfusions, talk with your doctor as early as possible. Early planning gives your care team time to review your health, improve your blood levels if needed and document your treatment choices.

Bloodless medicine and transfusion-free surgery is available at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey: 972-322-2950 and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick: 732-828-3000.

How Bloodless Medicine Works

Bloodless medicine and transfusion-free surgery focus on three main goals: improving blood levels before treatment, reducing blood loss during care, and supporting recovery after treatment.

Improves Blood Levels Before Treatment

• Find and treat anemia, also called low hemoglobin.
• Check for low iron, folic acid or vitamin B levels that can lower blood counts.
• Find and manage bleeding or clotting problems before treatment.

Reduces Blood Loss During Care

• Review medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements that may increase bleeding or clotting. Your doctor will tell you what to stop taking before surgery.
• Use special equipment and techniques that help reduce bleeding during surgery.
• Use anesthesia and surgical methods that help protect your blood volume.
• Provide medicines, when appropriate, to help reduce bleeding.
• Use smaller and less frequent blood samples for testing when possible.

Supports Recovery After Treatment

• Use medicine and nutrition support to help your body make new blood cells.
• Use non-blood methods to help maintain circulation after blood loss.
• Use care strategies that help your body tolerate anemia safely.

Plan Ahead for Bloodless Care

Many surgeries, medical treatments and births can be planned without blood transfusions. Planning early helps your care team understand your wishes, review your options and prepare for safer care. To get started:

• Complete an Advance Directive or other legal form that explains your wishes about blood transfusions.
• Decide which non-blood treatments or blood fractions, if any, are acceptable to you.
• Choose doctors and hospitals with experience in transfusion-free medicine and surgery.
• Tell every member of your care team that blood transfusion is not an option for your care.
• Bring copies of your documents, such as an advance directive or durable power of attorney, to the medical center.

How to Access Services

If you are interested in bloodless medicine, transfusion-free surgery or care without blood products, speak with your doctor or contact one of our bloodless medicine program locations. A program professional can help you understand your options and prepare for care.

Our team can work with your doctor to review your health history, check your blood levels and create a plan before surgery, a procedure or an obstetric admission.

We also provide education about non-blood treatment options and help document the choices you have made. For more information, please contact a bloodless medicine program location (see below) or ask your doctor for a referral.

Locations

Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
Bloodless Medicine Team
Call: 972-322-2950

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Bloodless Medicine Team
Call: 732-828-3000