Providence Regional Medical Center Everett offers blood conservation techniques for those that object to blood transfusion for religious or personal reasons, as well as for those who want to minimize the use of blood or blood products. The safety of blood has improved drastically and physicians and scientists throughout the world have modified surgical procedures, explored the role of drugs, blood substitutes and sealants in minimizing blood loss and the need for transfusion. Many patients are requesting alternatives with increasing frequency. In fact, in 1999 the Anemia Institute for Research and Education polled consumers in regards to their need for alternatives to blood and found that 84% responded that they would prefer an alternative to allogeneic transfusion if it were available. The blood conservation medical community has many examples of how well patients can do without blood transfusions if proper timing and coordination of care are available. Centers like Providence Regional Medical Center Everett take an organized and team approach to these patients' care. Blood conservation strategies have grown despite the dramatic reduction in the risk of blood transfusions in the past 10 years. However, there still exist three major issues with regards to allogeneic transfusion: - A zero-risk blood supply is not feasible.
- Shortages in blood supply still occur and can pose a serious risk particularly for patients suffering from severe trauma, shock, and certain pathologies and diseases.
- Shortages can result in delays in elective surgery procedures.
The objectives of blood conservation efforts at PEMC include the goal to reduce unnecessary transfusion of allogeneic blood, and can also include: - Providing for planned utilization of blood, blood products and available alternatives that optimize patient outcomes, use of hospital resources, and costs to the healthcare system.
- Supporting an Informed Consent process which addresses legal and ethical concerns even if the patient refuses blood for religious or personal reasons.
- Following principles of evidence-based practice to appropriately measure outcomes of various blood conservation strategies.
- Assessment, evaluation and intervention of patients with a history of:
- Coagulopathies
- Antibody investigations
- Anemia or platelet insufficiency
- Increasing patient satisfaction and safety in the transfusion process.
Most medical professionals acknowledge there still is a place for blood transfusions in medical care. Transfusions can be an essential tool in the recovery of persons with certain diagnoses and situations where time does not allow the use of alternatives. The blood conservation efforts at PEMC seek to support the values of individuals with certain religious and personal beliefs, to improve the health of all of our patients by using blood products most appropriately, and conserving on this potentially life-saving but limited resource.
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