Because of the increasing demand for transfusion-free medical care, Tampa General Hospital
has established the Center for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery. This innovative program is
designed to provide state-of-the-art medical care for patients who choose not to accept
blood transfusions or blood products.
While many patients request blood-free medical treatment based on religious beliefs, a
growing number also choose bloodless treatment to reduce the risks of adverse reactions and
blood-borne illnesses.
Tampa General's commitment to bloodless treatment is made possible by the surgeons,
anesthesiologists, internists, nurses, technicians, and support staffs that are trained to
provide quality medical care without the use of blood component therapy.
Bloodless care can be applied to nearly every medical and surgical specialty as
shown from the following list of services we offer:
Anesthesiology
Burn
Cancer Surgery
Cardiology
Cardiovascular Surgery
Critical Care
Dentistry
Emergency Services
Gastroenterology
General Surgery
Hematology
Infectious Diseases
Intesnsive Care
Internal Medicine
Nephrology
Neurology
Neurosurgery
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedic Services/Surgery
Otolaryngology
Outpatient Surgery
Pediatric Critical Care
Pediatric Surgery
Pediatrics/Neonatology
Plastic/Reconstructive Surgery
Pulmonary Disease
Radiology
Thoracic Surgery
Transplant Services
Trauma
Urology
Vascular Surgery
The primary strategy of our highly skilled medical professionals is to minimize blood loss during treatment. Special techniques, equipment and procedures that make blood conservation and bloodless care possible at Tampa General Hospital include:
Argon Beam Coagulator
Surgical instrument that uses a beam of ionized argon gas to conduct a high-frequency electric current to bleeding tissues with limited tissue contact.
Aprotinin
Natural protease inhibitor that reduces perioperative blood loss and the need for blood transfusions.
Cardiac Catheterization Procedures
Nonsurgical procedures such as laser angioplasty, balloon angioplasty, radio frequency ablation, and rotational atherectomy are often used as alternatives to bypass surgery.
Microsampling
Laboratory techniques that significantly reduce the amount of blood required for tests.
Cell Saver (Intraoperative Blood Salvage)
Blood recovery system that continually cleans and recirculates the patient's own blood during surgery.
Electrocautery & Electrosurgery
Blood recovery system that continually cleans and recirculates the patient's own blood during surgery.
Harmonic Scalpel
A device used to make surgical incisions with minimal tissue damage and minimal risk to patient.
Hemodilution
Replacement of intraoperative blood loss without homologous blood transfusion.
Interventional Radiology
Image-guided, minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment techniques that often can serve as alternatives to open surgery.
Laparoscopic Surgery
Operative procedures done with minimal incision surgery.
Laser Beam Coagulator
A device that clots blood during surgery to reduce blood loss.
Lithotrispy
Ultrasonic waves are used to break up kidney stones.
Pulse Oximeter
Non-invasive monitoring of oxygen concentration in the blood.
Synthetic Erythropoietin & Intravenous Iron
Medications that stimulate bone marrow to produce more red blood cells.
Stereotactic Surgery
Neurosurgical instrumentation used to diagnose or remove brain tumors with minimal blood loss.
Volume Expanders
Intravenous fluids that enhance blood circulation.
Patient Rights
All persons receiving medical care must be given written information about their right under state law to make decisions about medical care, including the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment.
Information about patients' rights to formulate advance directives such as living wills and durable powers of attorney for health care also must be provided.
Tampa General Hospital respects a patient's right to make informed decisions regarding medical care and recognizes a person's medical card as his or her advance directive.
Regarding the Treatment of Minors
State and federal law may impose limitations on the ability to withhold or withdraw blood transfusions or blood therapy from minors, particularly in life-threatening situations.
If you are considering non-blood care for a minor, please consult your physician or the Center for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery before treatment.
