History

Blood transfusion has been a mainstay of medical therapy for more than 100 years. There is no doubt that it improved survival during the two world wars of the 1900s. However, in the later part of the millennium allogeneic blood came under scrutiny with the worldwide AIDS crisis. In the first few years of this century we have learned a great deal about the risks of blood transfusion that go far beyond viral infections. Patient outcome is at times worsened by unneeded blood transfusion and therefore a great deal of old teaching is now being proven incorrect. Blood has become a precious commodity by becoming scarcer and tremendously more costly.

Today, more than ever, individuals are taking an active role in their own health care decisions. Whether for personal or religious beliefs, some are searching for medical centers and qualified staff who support their preference for medical and surgical care without or limited use of blood products.

Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center has undertaken a visionary leadership program in re-education regarding blood transfusion known as Practicing Excellence in Transfusion (PET) project. The PET project promotes a multi-disciplinary approach to safe transfusion practices and the use of alternatives to transfusion as well as creative means to maximize/conserve the patient’s own red cells, thus reducing or eliminating the need for blood products such as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. Our team currently consists of members from the departments of Pathology, Anesthesiology, Surgery, Epidemiology, Quality Management and Nursing. Through creative cutting edge education and programmatic choices, the VCU Medical Center will be recognized as a Center of Excellence for blood transfusion practices.