title: Bloodless medicine and surgery in the OR and beyond.
abstract: Ideas about bloodless surgery are changing. It now is more than transfusion-free surgery for Jehovah's Witnesses. Technological advances and concerns about the safety and availability of blood have led to interest in bloodless surgery among non-Witnesses. Perioperative nurses need to be aware of bloodless surgery technology, which typically incorporates the use of recombinant human erythropoietin and special surgical techniques and equipment. They must have a proper attitude toward blood conservation and respect patient autonomy. Bloodless surgery care extends across specialties and inpatient areas. A knowledge of bloodless surgery will facilitate clear communication between staff members, patients, and patients' family members.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, College of Health Professions, Towson University, Towson, Md., USA.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cogliano
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kisner
mesh_terms: D015142:Baltimore; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000379:methods; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033221:Jehovah's Witnesses; D008875:Middle Aged; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D013527:Perioperative Nursing; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin