Bloodless care is the strategy of delivering patient care while minimizing blood loss and eliminating the use of blood transfusions. Reasons for choosing bloodless care vary with each individual. They may include certain religious beliefs such as those held by the Jehovah's Witnesses, which prohibit receiving blood transfusions. Bloodless techniques may also be preferred to reduce the risk of reactions to blood transfusions and the risk of exposure to bloodborne illnesses, such as hepatitis and HIV.
About Our Program
The Bloodless Care Program provides patients with an alternative when making health care choices and offers a wide range of medical services without the utilization of blood transfusions. We offer this alternative as a means of honoring the religious beliefs and medical preferences of our patients. The program has physicians, nurses and support staff experienced in bloodless medical and surgical care. Cooper's physicians and support staff have been actively involved in the field of bloodless care for over 15 years. Their clinical experience and research contributions have been recognized both nationally and internationally as unique in this field. Patients choosing to participate in the program receive information and counseling from our Nurse Coordinator who acts as an advocate during pre-admission, hospitalization and recovery.
Strategies in Bloodless Care
Our approach to bloodless medicine and surgery includes techniques proven to dramatically reduce the need for blood transfusion. At Cooper, we offer the following techniques:
- Comprehensive pre-operative evaluation of surgical patients to determine the most appropriate alternatives to blood transfusions
- Collection and re-infusion of one's own blood both during and after surgery (i.e. Cell Saver)
- The use of synthetic blood substitutes designed to increase oxygen delivery without the need for blood
- Sophisticated intraoperative and postoperative monitoring of patient's status, including tracking oxygen levels and heart activity
- The use of drugs which help reduce blood loss during surgery
- Administration of synthetic erythropoietin and iron to stimulate production of new blood cells
- The use of harmonic scalpel, electrocautery, laser and CUSA to minimize blood loss during surgery
- Elimination of certain types of laboratory testing to avoid loss of blood
- Non-surgical evaluation and management of gastrointestinal disorders through endoscopy (e.g. bleeding ulcers)
Additional Information and Appointments
For more information about the Bloodless Care Program at Cooper or to speak with the Nurse Coordinator, please call (856) 342-2476.
To make an appointment with a Cooper University Hospital physician at an office near you, please call 1-800-8-COOPER to speak with a member of our physician referral and information service.