The "No-Blood" alternative at St. Vincent Charity Hospital.

Many people want a safe alternative to blood transfusions. From blood-borne diseases to the transmission of viruses such as Hepatitis C or West Nile, blood transfusions pose many risks. For those patients who do not want a transfusion, St. Vincent Charity Hospital offers an alternative – bloodless medicine and blood conservation – and the Regional Center for Blood Conservation at St. Vincent Charity Hospital is one of the most advanced and well-respected programs in the country.

Our Program

The Regional Center for Blood Conservation at St. Vincent Charity Hospital was established in 1994 to offer patients a safe, economical alternative to blood transfusions. St. Vincent Charity Hospital was the first hospital in Ohio to make blood conservation the standard of care for all patients. In the past, blood conservation was reserved for select individuals who refused blood transfusions. Since the benefits are so great, we use blood conservation techniques for all patients.

We use a team approach, with everyone from physicians, surgeons and nurses working together to achieve blood conservation. Most importantly, every member of the team is specially trained in bloodless medicine protocols. Using a variety of techniques, we can reduce or eliminate your need for a blood transfusion by:

• controlling bleeding
• building up your blood supply
• re-using your own blood

Hallmarks of the Blood Conservation Program

Not all hospitals are specialized in blood conservation and bloodless medicine. This requires an investment in time, training and capital. Having performed more bloodless surgeries than any other hospital in the area, our program is a model for others and includes:

• Caregivers with training and expertise in all aspects of blood conservation, and bloodless medicine techniques, policies and procedures
• Nurse Coordinator to provide support and education to patients and families
• Laboratory trained in micro-sampling and testing
• Standard of Care offered to all patients