Helping People Conserve and Generate Their Own Blood

Blood conservation can be beneficial for people who have:

• Anemia, a disorder where there is not enough hemoglobin in the blood due to poor nutrition, bleeding, disease or other causes.
• Certain elective surgeries that are known to result in high blood loss. With these surgeries, blood conservation methods may be particularly beneficial.
• Orthopedic surgeries such as hip or knee replacement. Three to four weeks before surgery we screen people for anemia and, if necessary, treat the anemia in advance to raise hemoglobin levels and help reduce the risk of blood transfusion.
• A hysterectomy. Iron-deficiency anemia from chronic monthly blood loss is common in women who need a hysterectomy due to uterine dysfunction. If necessary, we can replace iron intravenously before surgery to reduce the need for blood transfusion. Doctors may also use robotic surgery or laparoscopic surgery to reduce blood loss during surgery.
• Religious beliefs that prohibit blood transfusions, including Jehovah’s Witnesses. If you are a Jehovah’s Witness and choose not to receive blood or blood products, notify your doctor. If you are coming to the hospital, please bring a copy of your advance directive with you.

Questions or Concerns about Transfusions?