Sentara Heart Hospital has introduced a program of blood conservation whereby a heart surgery patient’s blood is salvaged, washed and reinfused as needed throughout surgery. Since piloting the program in February 2012, SHH has seen dramatic results: blood administration during surgery dropped from 46% to 17.18% in 18 months.

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Blood conservation program improves care

June 10, 2014
By: Corporate Communications
Blood Conservation Program Blood Conservation Program

Sentara Heart Hospital has introduced a program of blood conservation whereby a heart surgery patient’s blood is salvaged, washed and reinfused as needed throughout surgery.

Since piloting the program in February 2012, blood administration during surgery dropped from 46 percent to 17.18 percent in 18 months. 

Blood administration post-surgery went from 32 percent to 23.49 percent in the same time period. This proves better patient care and results in a cost savings for the system.