By Valley Business Journal
To meet a growing demand for “transfusion-free” or “bloodless” medical and surgical care, Temecula Valley Hospital now offers an innovative program designed to honor patients’ wishes while providing the medical care they need. The Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program is made possible by a highly-trained team of physicians, specialists, pharmacists, nurses and support staff that utilize specific treatments, techniques and equipment in order to treat individuals who choose not to receive blood or blood products. While many patients request bloodless medical treatment based on religious beliefs, many also choose transfusion-free treatment to reduce the risks of adverse reactions and blood-borne illnesses from donated blood.
Alternatives to blood transfusions have been made possible through advances in medical and surgical techniques and technology. Blood loss can be minimized through use of cauterized surgical instruments rather than scalpels, medication that increases red blood cell production and encourages clotting, specialized devices that filter and recirculate the patient’s own blood, blood-dilution therapies, techniques to lower blood pressure and body temperature, and minimally-invasive surgical techniques.
You can learn more about alternatives to blood transfusions by attending a community education seminar on Saturday, September 6, 2014, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. or Saturday, October 4, 2014, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.. The seminars will be held in the Olive Branch Café at Temecula Valley Hospital. To register for a seminar, please call 855-859-5203.
Temecula Valley Hospital, located at 31700 Temecula Parkway accepts most insurance plans including Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, HealthNet, Heritage Regal, IEHP, Kaiser Permanente, NAMM/PrimeCare, UMVS/Tricare, United Healthcare/Pacificare, Medicare and Medi-Cal. Temecula Valley Hospital brings advanced technology, innovative programs, patient-centered and family sensitive care to area residents. As the region’s newest acute care facility, the hospital features 140 private patient rooms, 24 hour a day emergency care, advanced cardiac and stroke care, orthopedics and general medical care, and surgical specialties.