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Vijay Mattoo, MD
Director, Bloodless Medicine
Tel: (718)
302-8547
Robert Raggi, MD
Director, Bloodless Surgery
Tel: (718) 302-8533
Administrative
Director
Tel: (718)
906-3999
Fax: (718) 906-3982
Email Us
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The
Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center is designed
to accommodate the needs of patients who for religious or other
reasons, refuse blood transfusions and blood products as part of their
treatment options. A comprehensive scope of medical and surgical
physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and administrators are
represented on the Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program team. The team
is committed to working in close and respectful partnership with the
patient to ensure the delivery of the highest quality of medical care
without blood.
Bloodless medicine and surgery is an advanced way of providing medical
and surgical care without the use of blood transfusions or blood
products. The term "bloodless" refers to the full scope of a
patient's treatment and ranges from micro-sampling techniques which draw
minimal amounts of blood for testing purposes, to the use of sophisticated
surgical equipment and technology that reduce blood loss during a
procedure. The purposes of these techniques are to:
- Maximize the body's ability to produce blood
- Minimize blood loss during medical and surgical
procedures
- Maximize oxygen delivery
As part of the Wyckoff Heights Medical Center registration process,
all patients are asked if they will accept blood or blood products
as treatment options. Those choosing transfusion alternatives
are immediately put in contact with Ms. Sandra Gilmore,
Administrative Director of Bloodless Medicine and Surgery, who remains
personally involved throughout the hospital stay to ensure that the patient's needs
are understood and met by hospital staff.
Patients choosing non-blood treatment options are fully informed of
their diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment recommendations to ensure that
informed healthcare decisions can be made. A hospitalized blood
management patient is provided with a customized armband clearly showing
the refusal of blood. A large sticker is also placed on the front of
the patient's chart to alert the medical staff of the patient's request
and to instruct them to refer to the patient's signed healthcare proxy
inside the chart.
We endeavor to assure patients enrolled in the
Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program of our full commitment to their stated
wishes. The clinical and administrative directors of the Bloodless Medicine and
Surgery Program are members of the Society for Advancement of Blood Management,
with access to national and international experts on alternatives to
blood transfusions. Furthermore, The Hospital Liaison Committee for Jehovah's Witnesses is
a vital and much-valued educational and information resource for both
our medical and non-medical personnel. (top)
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