The term "bloodless medicine" refers to a variety of techniques that allow a patient to be treated without blood transfusions. This means that the patient does not receive any major blood products that have been stored or provided by donors.

The Bloodless Medical and Surgical program at St. John’s is designed for patients who request effective alternatives to blood transfusion and blood products because of religious or personal convictions. Using bloodless techniques allows you to avoid the risk of blood-borne illnesses, immune reactions and other blood related problems. Our goal is to ensure that every patient is treated as a whole person and cared for as a unique individual.



The following services are provided:

• Cell Saver Continually cleans and recirculates the patient’s own blood during surgery.
• Hemodilution Dilution of the patient’s blood with non-blood volume expanders, within a closed circuit attached to patients circulatory system.
• Harmonic Scalpel  Lasers and Electrocautery: Devices used to reduce blood loss during surgery.
• Argon Beam Coagulator Clots blood during surgery to minimize blood loss.
• Oximetry Tracks oxygen levels during and after surgery.
• Synthetic Erythropoietin Stimulates bone marrow to produce red blood cells.
• Volume Expanders Intravenous fluids that enhance the circulation of your own blood.