title: [Benefit of a blood conservation program in elective orthopaedic surgery].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Due to shortage of blood as well as blood-associated risks, blood conservation programs should be implemented.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared the use of blood in 109 patients who were included in our program by their surgeons with that in 115 patients who were not recruited by them.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty percent of patients under the program were allo-transfused vs 41% in the other group (p < 0.001). A 67% reduction in homologus blood transfusion was achieved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of blood conservation techniques can be useful to spare blood, especially in good condition patients or in those with moderate anemia.
authors.affiliation: Comité de Transfusión, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain. MLopezS@imas.imim.es
authors.forename: M Mercedes
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: López Soques
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: León
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García Alvarez
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Garcés
authors.forename: Monserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sáez
mesh_terms: D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin