ProMedica's Blood Management Program

Bloodless care is for patients who decline a blood transfusion under any circumstance, whether it be for cultural, religious or personal reasons. Blood management is our broader program for patients who prefer to avoid a blood transfusion, if possible.

For both bloodless care and blood management patients, we utilize the same best practices to prevent anemia and minimize bleeding caused by surgery or illness. Together, you and our physician-led team will develop a plan based on your individual needs.

The goal of ProMedica's progressive blood management program is helping you avoid an unnecessary blood transfusion.

Reasons to avoid a blood transfusion when possible include:

• A decreased risk of infection.
• Reduced exposure to viruses and other blood-borne diseases.
• A shorter hospital stay.
• Conserving our precious community resource.

Why trust ProMedica's blood management program?

With one of the few programs in the country, ProMedica began its blood management program with a bloodless care program in 1993. For the past 20 years, we have established ourselves as a regional leader of blood management and bloodless care. Our knowledgeable doctors are able to perform procedures such as open-heart, orthopaedic and gastrointestinal surgeries without the need for blood transfusions.

Our team includes an expert physician medical director and dedicated registered nurses. We offer a wide range of strategies to minimize blood loss and improve red blood cell production. Many treatments can take place at a ProMedica infusion center.

As an active member in the the Society for the Advancement of Blood Management (SABM), we have access to the latest industry resources and techniques available to provide the best recommendations for you.

Treatment Strategies

Often there are proactive steps that lessen or eliminate your need for a blood transfusion. 

The following may be recommended before surgery:

• Iron (oral or intravenous).
• B12, folic acid and vitamin C.
• Medications.
• Nutritional education planning.
• Synthetic erythropoietin.

The following may be used during surgery:

• Electrocautery.
• Hemodilution.
• Hemostatic drug therapy.
• Intraoperative blood cell recovery and reinfusion.
• Meticulous surgical technologies.
• Minimally invasive surgery.
• Thrombin and adhesives.
• Volume expanders.

The following may be recommended after surgery:

• Erythropoietin and iron.
• Minimal blood draws.

How do you know if you need a blood management evaluation?

Don't hesitate to talk with your doctor if you develop anemia or have a surgery/procedure scheduled that could result in blood loss. 

What happens during a blood management evaluation?

You'll have an in-person or phone call consultation with one of our knowledgeable nurses. Most likely, blood tests will be ordered. After your consultation and review of your blood test results, a treatment plan meeting your specific needs will be developed and shared with you and your physician.

In most cases, any pre- and post-surgery treatments can take place in one of ProMedica's convenient infusion centers. After your care, our blood management team will follow up with you and your physician.