Multimodal approach to blood conservation in the surgical patient

Abstract

Allogeneic blood remains a scarce and expensive resource, even as the risks of disease transmission and other complications associated with blood transfusion are well known. Blood conservation, however, is a quality‑of‑care concept that transcends these and other known and unknown complications of transfusion, to involve a gamut of strategies meant to prevent exposure of patients to allogeneic blood. In urging a halt to incessant allogeneic blood transfusion, we report three cases to highlight the benefits of multimodal multidisciplinary collaboration in blood conservation. The three patients were chosen on account of either religious objection to any blood transfusion or the likelihood of exposure to several units of allogeneic blood. The blood conservation plan proposed for each patient was discussed with the respective surgeon and patient. Multimodal multidisciplinary approach to blood conservation utilising combination of strategies best suited for each individual patient will remarkably reduce the exposure of patients to allogeneic blood thereby ensuring better use of the scarce resource, and and preventing potential clinical complications and spiritual trespass of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Key words: Allogeneic, autologous, blood conservation, Jehovah’s Witness, transfusion trigger