Bloodless Medicine and Surgery - A Growing
Trend
Winter 2001
Bloodless medicine and surgery - once only an
obscure specialty - is quickly becoming the latest
trend at many hospitals and health systems throughout
the country. In 1990, only a handful of hospitals
offered bloodless services. Today, more than
50 hospitals in the United States offer bloodless
medicine and surgery programs. As this trend
continues, more hospitals are adding this service
to their list of programs. There are three main
factors for this growing trend - religious beliefs,
fear, and medical advancements.
For Jehovah's Witnesses, their interpretation
of the Bible forbids them to receive blood transfusions.
Prior to the creation of bloodless programs,
many were forced to choose between their health
and their faith. Many physicians refused to perform
complex procedures without the ability to use
blood transfusions - a direct conflict for Witness
patients. With the development of bloodless programs,
Witness patients are no longer forced to choose
between their health and their faith.
Many people also seek bloodless alternatives
due to fear of infection through blood transfusions.
While the risk of infection through blood transfusions
is extremely low, many people fear the possibility
of being infected with a blood-borne disease
if they receive a transfusion. With the expansion
of bloodless programs, many people who prefer
blood substitutes have more resources available
to them.
Numerous medical advancements have also helped
with the growth and development of bloodless
programs. Key advancements include:
- new drugs - including Procrit and Epogen
- that stimulate bone
marrow to make more red blood cells , blood platelets and various white blood
cells
- surgical tools that cut and seal blood vessels
- drugs that reduce blood loss during surgery
The number of bloodless medicine and surgery
programs will continue to grow. Contact the Center
for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery at Pennsylvania
Hospital for continuous updates on the latest
advancements and bloodless procedures available.
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