Introduction

The Johns Hopkins University has established the Eugene and Mary B. Meyer Center for Advanced Transfusion Practices and Blood Research (ATP Center) for the delivery of medical and surgical care to patients without the use of blood products. Two groups of patients are particularly interested in this advanced transfusion alternative (commonly referred to as bloodless medicine and surgery):

  • those who refuse blood for religious reasons
  • those who refuse blood because of risks associated with the transfusion

The ATP Center is a multidisciplinary program with faculty involvement from multiple medical/surgical/pediatric disciplines. Patients have the potential to be admitted to any inpatient nursing unit in the hospital and/or be seen in any of the outpatient clinics. Thus, knowledge of and information concerning advanced transfusion alternatives is vital for the nursing staff.

The goals of the ATP Center are to provide services in the following areas: patient care, education, and research.

CLINICAL SERVICES

  • pre- and postsurgical erythropoietin
  • IV iron treatments
  • antifibrinolytic agents
  • fibrin sealants
  • inpatient consultations
  • patient education
  • follow-up care
A "hotline" is available for patient referrals, questions or inpatient consultation requests.

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

  • education of Hopkins staff regarding the policy for patients who refuse blood products
  • protocols/policies related to care of patients who refuse blood products
  • regularly scheduled medical and research conferences
  • Web site where educational materials are available for the nursing staff as well as tools for patient education

RESEARCH

  • new surgical techniques to conserve blood loss
  • new medications to enhance and stimulate the patient's own blood components and augment hemostasis
  • development of synthetic blood products
  • outcome studies as well as evidence-based research
  • basic research in hemostasis and blood disorders

The ATP Center employs a full-time RN whose responsibilities include:

  • coordinating patient flow throughout the episode of care including inpatient stays, outpatient appointments, registration, scheduling and billing
  • coordinating the clinical operations of the ATP Center
  • educating patients and families
  • educating nursing staff
  • providing nursing care for patients seen in the ATP Center
  • assisting the ATP Center physicians in coordination and data collection of research studies

Please call the ATP Center with any questions you may have: 410-502-7359.

 

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