AACN Diversity Symposium Poster Showcase
Domain of Scholarship: Teaching
Focus Area: Creating a culture of safety
Significance and Background – Bloodless Medicine was initiated as a preference for patients declining blood transfusions for religious or
personal reasons. It promotes patient centered care, and culturally sensitive care. However, over time strategies for blood conservation,
alternatives to transfusion, and preventive treatment options have demonstrated superior benefits. The transmission of SARS-CoV-2
creating the current global pandemic has emphasized the need to practice Bloodless Medicine especially during this time.
Purpose – Understand and implement Bloodless Medicine Practices to avoid blood transfusion overuse, and minimize the risk of
transmission.
Interventions –Early screening for anemia, coagulopathy, increased risk for hemorrhage, and significant comorbidities. Considering
bloodless alternatives to establish and maintain homeostasis. Education developed for providers and patients refusing blood transfusions,
providing culturally sensitive care.
Conclusion – It is crucial that providers are cautious to avoid the use of blood, and become familiar with alternative measures. Avoiding
the use of blood transfusion for symptom management results in decreased utilization of currently limited storage of blood. Utilizing
Bloodless Medicine strategies eliminates the hazards and adverse outcomes of blood transfusion. This discipline includes education
regarding alternative options, allowing the patient to participate in care planning, and avoiding harm to patients. Allocation of resources
appropriately would require practicing Bloodless Medicine especially with patients refusing blood transfusions, and attempting to avoid it
with all patients.
Cassandra Upchurch
MSN, RN
Owner/Clinical Director
A.N.I.T.A Clinical Consulting
Biography
Cassandra Upchurch has been a Registered Nurse for 14 years. Her background is critical care, acute care, home care, managed care, long
term care, leadership/ nursing administration, bloodless medicine, nursing education, patient blood management and infection
prevention, and travel nursing. She is the owner of First Aid & CPR Academy, A.N.I.T.A Clinical Consulting. She has published multiple
research articles in clinical journals and presented at national and international conferences related to bloodless medicine, business
development, and care delivery.
She completed her BSN at West Chester University in 2007, and LaSalle University for MSN Nursing
Administration. She is a member of National Nurses in Business Association (NNBA), Association for Professionals in Infection Control and
Epidemiology (APIC), Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Society (BMSS), Society for the Advancement of Blood Management (SABM), and
American Nurses Association (ANA) organizations.
Phone: 215-954-7515
Email: info@anitaclinicalconsulting.org
Co-Author(s):
Nathaniel Usoro MBBCh, FWACS, FICS, MD