The purpose of the perioperative blood management program is:
To decrease and/or eliminate the need for blood transfusion during elective or scheduled surgery
To educate patients about the risks and benefits of blood transfusions and other blood alternatives
On November 26, 1997, Health Minister Allan Rock, on behalf of the federal government, released the final report of the Commission of Inquiry on the Blood System in Canada (Krever Commission).
Perioperative Blood Conservation Programs were established across Canada based on the commission’s recommendations (Health Canada).
The program is located at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax and is a referral program for all of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland:
To enhance patient care and patient satisfaction through education and blood alternatives being available
To provide a process whereby patients are informed and alternatives be implemented
To decrease the demand on blood supply
Patients that could benefit from the Perioperative Blood Management Program
Patients scheduled for elective surgical procedures which are commonly associated with:
High blood loss
Patients presenting with a low initial hemoglobin <130g/L
Have low body weight
Once enrolled in the program, patients are followed throughout their stay
Why choose blood management?
Research has shown that blood conservation techniques decrease the risk of:
Contracting blood-borne infections
Developing transfusion reactions and
Suppressing a patient’s own immune system
If you are planning to have surgery in the near future and would like to obtain more information about the Blood Conservation Program, please call (902) 473-3117 on weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to speak with the coordinator. She will be happy to provide information and answer your questions.
You can enroll in the Blood Management Program for various types of surgery, including: Thoracic, Vascular, Orthopedic, Urologic, OB/GYN, Neurological, General, and Cardiac.
Our mission:
To reduce the need for blood transfusions for all patients by working diligently to minimize the amount of blood a patient loses before, during, and after treatment.
