Bronx patients will have a new option when it comes to blood transfusions, as SBH Health System launches a program allowing patients to choose whether they receive blood or blood products as part of their medical care.
The new Bloodless Medicine & Surgery Program makes SBH one of only a few facilities in the tri-state region offering this type of service and, according to the hospital, the only one in the Bronx.
The program will coordinate care for patients who opt out of transfusions through a team of doctors, nurses, hospital staff, patient representatives and, when requested, clergy. The team will work with patients to develop individualized treatment plans that honor their decisions about blood and blood products.
Patients will have the opportunity to communicate their preferences when they arrive at the hospital and throughout their stay. For those who decline transfusions, doctors can use evidence-based treatments designed to minimize blood loss and support the body’s natural production of blood cells.
Patients may choose to decline blood for a range of medical, religious or personal reasons. For example, Jehovah’s Witnesses generally refuse blood transfusions based on their interpretation of biblical teachings, making bloodless treatment an important consideration for some members of the faith.
“The Bloodless Medicine program at SBH is a powerful reflection of our mission and the work happening across our system every day,” said Dr. David Perlstein, SBH president and CEO.
“It underscores our commitment to meeting patients where they are, respecting the cultural and personal values that shape their healthcare decisions, and ensuring that our care reflects the diversity of the community we serve.”
Dr. Daniel Lombardi, SBH senior vice president and chief medical officer, said the program grew out of conversations about the treatment options available to patients.
“The Bloodless Medicine program at SBH started as a conversation around what options are available for our patients and what makes sense for them, their care and their path to wellness,” Lombardi said. “When patients are directly involved in their care plan and healing, it leads to better outcomes for them in the short term and long term.”
The program will be led by Dr. Robert Karpinos, chair of anesthesiology and medical director of perioperative services. Karpinos said SBH has practiced patient blood management for years and that the new program is a natural extension of that work.
“At SBH, we have been successfully practicing Patient Blood Management for many years,” Karpinos said. “The natural progression from blood management is to offer our community the additional option of bloodless medicine and surgery.”
The hospital’s approach is part of the broader practice of patient blood management, which focuses on reducing blood loss, limiting the need for transfusions and supporting patients’ blood health before, during and after medical procedures.
SBH Health System operates St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, along with other health care services and facilities in the borough. The health system has served the Bronx for more than 160 years.
Reach Marina Samuel at msamuel@schnepsmedia.com. For more coverage, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!
