NoBlood - View Single Post - Device recycles patient's blood during surgery

Jan B. Wade · #5 (**permalink**) 03-26-2007, 08:11 AM

Sulman,

If you would like to help promote blood management the first thing you can do is learn about the function of blood from bone marrow to coagulation. You need to become an expert on anemia, its cause and treatment. You must also become expert on bleeding and clotting disorders.

You must become an expert on the local blood supply. In other words, is there a blood bank system locally? Is the blood "safe"? Would physicians use the local blood supply for a family member? The idea isn't to become an enemy of the blood bank but to become a realist. Does blood cost money in Pakistan? Does the health care system absorb the cost? By cost I mean the initial cost and the cost of treating the results of using bad blood products to treat anemia and other disorders. Is a poor quality blood supply injuring patients? That carries a terrible price. Once you have a working knowledge of the true cost and price of using the local blood supply you will be able to make a solid case for avoiding blood transfusions in favor of alternative approaches.
Do you work in or near a hospital? Can you find a surgeon or hematologist who would be willing to support your goal of reevaluating the local approach to treating anemia and bleeding and clotting disorders?

Are there many Jehovah's Witnesses in your area? How are they treated? You must be realistic about whether the fact that you are one of Jehovah's Witnesses is a good or bad thing for you. You could form a committee of Doctors and Nurses to help persuade change. If you work as a lone voice you can be ignored. A committee of professionals is more difficult to dismiss. Find a physician who is willing to help and able to become an effective champion and leader.

If Pakistan is slow to respond are there other countries that Pakistan looks to for leadership? Can you find support there?

Just a few ideas for you. Don't give up.

Please feel free to post in the Nurses forum. Your peers there can give you much good advice.

Thank you.