Bloodless Surgery:

Benefits[edit source]

Bloodless medicine appeals to many doctors because it carries low risk of post-operative infection when compared with procedures requiring blood transfusion. Additionally, it may be economically beneficial in some countries. For example, the cost of blood in the US hovers around $500 a unit, including testing.^[14] These costs are further increased as, according to Jan Hoffman (an administrator for the blood conservation program at Geisinger Medical Centerin Danville, Pennsylvania), hospitals must pick up the tab for the first three units of blood infused per patient per calendar year.^{[citation needed]} By contrast, hospitals may be reimbursed for drugs that boost a patient’s red blood cell count, a treatment approach often used before and after surgery to reduce the need for a blood transfusion.^{[citation needed]} However, such payments are highly contingent upon negotiations with insurance companies. Geisinger Medical Center began a blood conservation program in 2005 and reported a recorded savings of $273,000 in its first six months of operation.^[15] The Cleveland Cliniclowered their direct costs from US$35.5 million in 2009 to $26.4 million in 2012—a savings of nearly $10 million over 3 years.^[16]

Health risks appear to be another contributing factor in their appeal, especially in light of recent studies that suggest that blood transfusions can increase the risk of complications and reduce survival rates.^[17][18] Thus the recovery rate is faster with bloodless surgery, allowing the patient to leave earlier.

The shift away from standard transfusion practice to Patient Blood Management is gaining momentum worldwide. Organisations such as the International Foundation for Patient Blood Management are at the forefront of this shift along with many others.