What is bloodless medicine and surgery?
The MCG Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program is a special service for patients who wish to avoid the use of donor blood during medical and surgical procedures.

There are many reasons you may prefer a transfusion-free treatment method. You may hold a religious conviction that prevents you from receiving blood transfusions. Or you might feel more comfortable knowing that with bloodless techniques, you virtually eliminate the risk of bloodborne illnesses such as hepatitis or HIV.

At MCG Health System, our state-of-the-art technology combined with our highly skilled physicians, surgeons and entire patient care staff provide the highest quality medical care possible – without blood transfusions. We have made a special commitment to uphold the religious or personal wishes of those who desire bloodless medical treatment. All of the physicians participating in this program have a high level of expertise in “transfusion-free” or bloodless procedures and a personal desire to help individuals requesting non-blood medical management.

Is it safe?
Thanks to advances in equipment and technology, physicians and surgeons can safely and successfully perform a multitude of procedures, ranging from routine appendectomies to complex orthopaedic and open-heart surgeries, without using blood transfusions.

The MCG Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program can provide non-blood medical and surgical care for a variety of specialties, such as but not limited to:

• Cancer/Cancer Surgery
• Cardiology/Cardiovascular Surgery
• Gastroenterology
• General Surgery
• Gynecology
• Hematology
• Intensive Care Management
• Neurosurgery
• Obstetrics
• Orthopaedics
• Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Urologic Surgery
• Vascular Surgery

About our Frontline Technology
MCG's skilled medical and surgical professionals employ state-of-the-art medical technology as part of the Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program. This technology includes:

• Volume Expanders – Intravenous fluids that enhance the circulation of a patient's own blood without the use of blood or blood products.
• Pharmaceuticals – Synthetic Erythropoietin stimulates blood marrow to produce red blood cells and Hemostatic agents promote coagulation.
• Intra-Operative Blood Salvage (Cell Saver) and Hemodilution – Salvages, filters and recirculates the patient's own non-stored blood.
• Harmonic Scalpel, Lasers, Argon Beam Coagulator and Electrocautery – Devices used during surgery to reduce blood loss.
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber – A device that delivers oxygen under increased pressure to improve tissue oxygenation.
• Transcutaneous Oxygen Monitoring and Pulse Oximetry – Non-invasively tracks oxygen levels during surgery and during hyperbaric oxygen treatment.
• Blood Conservation Techniques – The patient's blood pressure and temperature can be lowered during surgery. Also, micro-sampling techniques are used to reduce the amount of blood specimens needed for analytic testing.

Click here for a printable brochure

Frequently Asked Questions 

Program Management
The Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program is managed by experienced personnel who are available 24 hours a day. The program coordinator is trained and experienced as a facilitator in all aspects of bloodless healthcare. The coordinator's goal is to ensure the highest quality medical care while respecting your individual choices regarding specific medical procedures. The coordinator will be directly involved with you to see that your needs are understood and accommodated by our staff.

Contact Us
For more information about the MCG Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program,
please call 706-721-BMSP (2677). Even if you are not planning a hospital stay in the near future, you may contact our program coordinator to discuss your wishes for future care or answers to your specific questions. It is particularly important to plan for emergencies.

MCG Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program
Perioperative Services Department
1120 15 th Street, BIW-8037
Augusta, Georgia 30912
706-721-BMSP (2677)
800-736-CARE (2273)