Creighton University Medical Center is proud to offer one of the area's only programs dedicated to reducing the need for blood transfusions.

The Center for Blood Conservation provides quality medical and surgical care without the use of donor blood, using specialized techniques to minimize a patient’s blood loss before, during and after surgery. Since 1994, many procedures at Creighton University Medical Center have been performed without blood transfusions.

An Alternative

The community requested blood conservation options for medical and surgical procedures. We listened and assembled an impressive team of physicians and support staff to deliver a variety of non-blood alternatives, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live healthier lives.

The Benefits

• Improved outcomes
• Faster recovery period
• Lower infection rates
• Less cognitive dysfunction
• Conservation of our nations blood supply

Participation

If you decide to participate in the program, there are two choices:

• Level 1: No blood transfusions ever.
• Level 2: You can indicate that you prefer that the physician employs blood conservation techniques rather than blood transfusions, and that you will only accept a blood transfusion if a life-or-death situation arises.

Respecting A Patient’s Decision

The Center for Blood Conservation is available to all patients who wish to avoid using donated blood. In providing patients with high-quality care, we assure that their personal wishes will be honored and that they will be treated with respect and dignity prior to, during and after treatment.

The Team Approach

The program is not just a promise from one physician not to use banked blood. Our program offers a team approach that includes the program manager, medical director, physicians, nurses, technicians and other support personnel. We also have a medical steering committee to help guide this program.

Creighton University Medical Center’s full-time program manager will help ensure high quality of medical care, act as a liaison between the patient, the patient’s family, physicians and staff, and help meet special medical needs and requests.

Treatment of Minors

We respect the concerns of parents wishing to avoid transfusions of donor blood for their children. We will work with parents to pursue treatment options. However, please be aware that federal and state law may impose limitations on withholding blood transfusions for minors in a life-or-death situation.

The Center for Blood Conservation received accreditation from the Association for Blood Conservation.