Dedicated to your elective surgical patient who is anemic

Patients dealing with anemia and iron deficiencies are increasing. Reports indicate that over 35 percent of patients preparing for surgery may suffer from anemia. To assist prospective patients prior to surgery and to reduce postoperative complications resulting from anemia, the Internal Medicine Center and Blood Conservation Medicine departments at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center have established the Banner Good Samaritan Anemia Center to monitor a patient’s blood count and reduce the need for blood transfusions.

There is a need for this type of presurgical awareness and treatment. The Anemia Center's clinicians will view anemia as a significant clinical condition rather than an abnormal laboratory value.

Preoperative preparation protocols often do not include the laboratory screening tests necessary to detect and diagnose anemia within the appropriate timeframe that would allow for the implementation of therapy directed to correct anemia. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and parenteral iron preparations have widened the approach to the treatment of anemia and are quickly becoming the essential tools for blood conservation in the elective surgical patient.

Nationwide, over 55 percent of red blood cell transfusions are administered in elective surgery classified as being high-risk for blood loss.

Patients with preoperative anemia are more than three times likely to receive blood transfusion, so physicians can help to reduce the need for outside blood during surgery by treating preoperative anemia. Also, morbidity and mortality after surgery is significantly associated with the presence of preoperative anemia; by treating this, physicians can improve patient safety.

The Anemia Center is now accepting referrals for elective surgery patients diagnosed with anemia. For additional information, please call us at (602) 239-2940.