Blood Conservation Program

At San Ramon Regional Medical Center, we do some of our best listening without the stethoscope. So, at a time when more and more patients request medicine and surgery without blood transfusions, we take those requests to heart with our Blood Conservation Program.

Why Blood Conservation?

For some, the desire for blood conservation is based on religious beliefs. Other patients choose it to reduce the possibility of adverse reactions or other risks associated with receiving blood products.

Skilled and Committed Team

Combining healthcare with health caring, San Ramon Regional Medical Center assembled a multidisciplinary team of skilled physicians and surgeons committed to blood conservation. They use available medications and technology to minimize blood loss during medical or surgical intervention.

24-Hour Support

Supporting the program is a dedicated and knowledgeable team who is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They take care of your specific medical needs, explain procedures and options, and remain in contact with each patient from the time of first inquiry to actual discharge from the hospital.

Techniques & Equipment

To conserve blood loss during surgery, interventions may include:

EPO (erythropoietin)

A recombinant (genetically engineered) hormone medication that is identical to the natural hormone that the kidneys produce to stimulate the body to produce more red blood cells.

Laboratory Conservation Techniques

Micro sampling for lab tests to reduce the amount of blood removed for blood tests.

Intra- & Post-Operative Blood Salvaging (such as the Cell Saver®)

A technique using a specialized blood recycling machine which collects, cleans and returns the patient’s own blood during and after surgical procedures.

Harmonic Scalpel, Argon Beam Coagulator and Electrocautery

Surgical devices used to seal blood vessels during surgery, thereby minimizing bleeding.

Laparoscopic & Minimally Invasive Surgery

Surgery utilizing smaller incisions and fiber optics reduce blood loss.

Pharmaceutical Agents

Medications to assist in reducing blood loss by increasing clotting or controlling excessive bleeding.

Nutritional Support

Dietary suggestions to assist the patient to be in personal, optimal preoperative status.

Medical Specialties

Blood conservation interventions may be applied to medical and surgical specialties we offer, including:

•  Anesthesiology
• Cardiac Surgery
• Cardiology
• Emergency Services
• Family Practice
• Gastroenterology
• General Surgery
• Gynecology/Oncology Surgery
• Head & Neck Surgery
• Hematology/Oncology
• Intensive & Critical Care
• Internal Medicine
• Neurosurgery
• Obstetrics/Gynecology
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopedics
• Otorhinolaryngology
• Outpatient Surgery
• Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
• Podiatric Surgery
• Thoracic Surgery
• Urology & Urologic Surgery
• Vascular Surgery

Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Blood Conservation

1. How much experience and training do you have with this procedure?
2. How many procedures of this type have you performed successfully without using blood transfusions or blood products?
3. Have you ever had an emergency where blood loss became serious?
4. What “backup” plan do you have should something go wrong and I begin to lose blood?
5. Will my request for transfusion-free surgery and medicine be completely respected by ALL the surgical team, hospital staff and physicians?
6. How will I be identified as a person who does not wish to receive blood? Will I receive a wristband?
7. How will my medical chart indicate that I refuse blood?
8. How will other doctors and staff who may treat me during my hospital stay know my position regarding the use of blood and blood products?
9. How will the hospital notify the blood bank so that should another doctor order blood, it will not be sent without first consulting me, my healthcare agent or other responsible person? 

Insurance Coverage

San Ramon Regional Medical Center is a contracted provider of care for a wide variety of health plans, including Medicare. For a list of contracted insurance providers, call 925.275.8231 or 925.275.8241. Contact your health plan for authorization and referral requirements.

Patient Participation

If you plan to participate in the Blood Conservation Program, please talk to your physician in advance. Also, notify the hospital staff upon registration and a member of the program team will meet with you.

Program Staff

The Blood Conservation Program staff, consisting of the Program Manager and the Patient Care Coordinator, can help to take care of your personal and family needs. The Patient Care Coordinator explains all medical procedures and options, and remains in contact with each patient from the time of first inquiry to actual discharge from the hospital. Let us know if you are Spanish speaking.

Medical Panel

For a listing of physicians participating in the Blood Conversation  Program at San Ramon Regional Medical Center, visit our Web site at www.sanramonmedctr.com. (Select Find a Physician; select Specialty and an Area of Interest.)

Additional Information

If you would like additional information about the Blood Conservation Program at San Ramon Regional Medical Center, please call toll-free at 877.366.2566.

Seminars

We are happy to send you information regarding future seminars on blood conservation. Just ask to be included on our mailing list. E-mail us your name and address at asksrrmc@tenethealth.com.

Why do I need to attend the Advanced Health Care Directive Seminar?

• To protect your federal rights as a patient to make your own decisions regarding your healthcare.
• To make known your choice of non-blood management on the Advance Health Care Directive.
• To make an informed choice you must understand the medical alternatives available for nonblood management.
• To act as someone else’s healthcare agent, you should understand the Advance Health Care Directive and the medical alternatives.

ASK YOURSELF . . .

• Do I thoroughly understand and could I explain to a medical professional what a primary component of blood is?
• Do I thoroughly understand and could I explain to a medical professional what a fraction derived from a primary component of blood is?
• Do I understand and can I explain blood salvaging and the importance of the proper setup of blood salvaging equipment for Jehovah’s Witnesses?
• Have I completed the Advance Health Care Directive for Jehovah’s Witnesses/No Blood Card?