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Blood conservation surgery offers many advantages. First, by re-using their own blood, patients reduce the risk of infections transmitted via donor blood. Second, the patient is less likely to experience complications that can lengthen recovery time. Finally, blood conservation is economical Ñ it saves money for the consumer, the hospital and/or the insurance company.

Yes. Joseph Sopko, M.D., Director, Department of Medicine at St. Vincent Charity Hospital conducted a comparative study in which 49 patients who had primary cardiovascular surgery between 1996 and 2000 were matched to a control group of 49 patients who did not receive blood during the surgery.

You can find more information through the US Green Building Council, an organization dedicated to accelerating the adoption of green building practices, technologies, policies and standards. More information can be found at GreenClips, GreenClips Web site, or write to chrishammer@greenclips.com.

The goal of blood conservation is to conserve or retain enough of the patient's own blood during medical treatments and procedures to reduce or eliminate the need for a blood transfusion. There are many patients who require blood transfusions due to anemia, cancer treatments and surgery. During blood conservation, various techniques are used either to conserve blood, control bleeding or promote the growth of new blood cells.

Yes, there are several mechanisms available for donating your own blood before surgery. It is possible to donate at a local blood bank and have it shipped to the hospital, but specific guidelines must be followed. Also, be aware that there are usually fees associated with the collection, processing, and testing of "autologous" blood for which the patient will be responsible. Please contact our office for additional information on how to arrange for autologous donation.

There is a possibility that you may need a blood transfusion after surgery. You have the option of relying on blood from the blood bank or you may donate your own blood prior to the surgery. Your donated blood will be stored for your use only.

Another very common question concerns the Toxicity of Plants. This is a good general guideline on the topic. You may not want to bother removing the flower-bearing stems on many types of salvia that are grown for hummingbirds. These stems simply dry up by themselves and since our annual salvias generally do not produce seeds in great number; this need not be a concern for you. Salvia coccinea does produce seeds on these stems.

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Individuals can donate their blood for their own upcoming surgical needs, if prescribed by a physician.

Yes. To donate blood for your own use, which is called autologous blood, first your doctor will need to send an order to our Special Donations department, and then, you can call in (216-431-3086 or 800-676-3307) to make your donation appointments. Autologous blood is an option for patients having elective surgery, most often, orthopedic surgery. Please discuss with your doctor whether autologous donation is right for you.

Patients with diabetes are often taken off their glucose control medications the night before surgery. Often, as with most patients preparing for surgery, those with diabetes must also fast and refrain from drinking fluids before surgery. For this reason, people with diabetes are often scheduled for surgery early in the morning to limit the amount of time they are off their medications. Discuss this option with your diabetes care team and surgeon.

Your blood is typed, or classified, according to the presence or absence of certain markers (antigens) found on red blood cells and in the plasma that allow your body to recognize blood as its own. If another blood type is introduced, your immune system recognizes it as foreign and attacks it, resulting in a transfusion reaction. The ABO system consists of A, B, AB, and O blood types. People with type AB blood are called universal recipients because they can receive any of the ABO types.

It is rare for a patient to require transfusion for this type of surgery. It is possible to arrange for one or two units of blood to be donated prior to surgery if desired.

Roughly 34,000 units of red blood cells are needed daily and the American Red Cross is in a constant state of critical shortage, making blood conservation extremely important. Also, due to increased safety measures, the cost of blood is skyrocketing. One unit can cost as much as $215, and as much as $500 per pint after hospital processing costs are added.

For more information or a physician referral, contact The Regional Center for Blood Conservation at St. Vincent Charity Hospital at (216) 363-3353 or via e-mail.

Whether you will need a blood transfusion will depend on your medical condition, the type of surgery you are having, your personal beliefs and preferences, etc. This should be a topic of discussion with your surgeon and anesthesiologist.

In many cases, yes. Aspirin and other blood-thinners prevent your blood from clotting. It is important that you tell the surgeon or his/her staff that you are taking these medications. Your surgeon will decide whether you have to stop it before surgery. Your surgeon will coordinate with your internist before stopping any medications. One or two days after surgery, you may resume taking them based on your physician's recommendation.

If you have any questions not answered in this FAQ please submit them to us through our Help/Comments form. copy; 1996-2007 National Wildlife Federation | 11100 Wildlife Center Dr, Reston VA 20190 | 800-822-9919

Marine conservation is essentially the act of saving our seas for future generations. The word conservation is often misunderstood to mean improving the present conditions, but it works only when all threats are taken away, forever. Conservation is thus impossible without knowing what threatens the environment.

Yes. When blood transfusions are anticipated, such as upcoming elective surgery, a person can donate blood for his or her own use when approved by their physician. In some cases, it is possible to donate blood for a specific person.

Arterial blood gases are not routinely - in fact are seldom - performed before weight loss surgery. In patients in whom very poor respiratory function might compromise the safety of the operation, preoperative blood gases might be considered.

Providing you did not receive a blood transfusion in the process, there is no set waiting time after surgery. Persons may donate blood once their surgeon has released them to all normal activities.

Answer :- It is not serious but it is sometimes done to make up for the volume and coagulation factors.

There is frequently a need for some blood transfusions during total joint replacement surgery. Most of the blood lost in surgery can be reused at the time of surgery by being filtered and re-administered to the patient. For hip surgery particularly, we advise that patients store some of their own blood prior to surgery for use at the time of surgery. This precludes any possibility of problems during the administration of blood at the time of or after surgery.

Unlike the mouth, the eyes are very clean. You will not need to take antibiotics unless instructed by your doctor before the operation.

A CBC-complete blood count and possibly a bleeding time if you have been using any type of aspirin-containing medications.

Blood conservation can replace transfusions for most conditions and procedures. Cancer patients, often weakened following treatment due to red blood cell depletion, can certainly benefit from blood-boosting medications and vitamins. Blood conservation techniques can be used in the treatment of a wide range of specialties, including cardiology, gynecology, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, hematology, ophthalmology, urology, vascular medicine, general surgery and internal medicine.

Approximately 150 hospitals nationwide have comprehensive blood conservation programs. More hospitals are adding or growing blood conservation programs every day and some believe it will become the standard of care in the future due to continuing concerns about the nation's blood supply and to continuous blood shortages experienced by The American Blood Cross. Blood conservation programs require the hospital or surgical center to make significant investments in time, money and training. St.

Mark Madison, FWS historian, has an excellent website at http://training.fws.gov/history/index.html An excellent chronology is provided at the Library of Congress' American Memory Historical Collections for the National Digital Library: The Evolution of the Conservation Movement 1850-1920. The Audubon Society has a list of "Conservation Champions" at http://magazine.audubon.org/century/champion.html.