Dr. Ford

Frederick Dentler needed a total hip replacement. Not only that, but he needed one where the surgeon would not use any blood outside of his body, to coincide with his beliefs as a Jehovah's Witness.

Years ago, it may have been difficult for Dentler to find a program where he could get this procedure done. But because of the recent emergence of bloodless medicine and facilities like the Center for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery (CBMS) at Pennsylvania Hospital , Philadelphia , Dentler was able to get the healthcare he needed and still adhere to the tenets of his faith.

Up for the Challenge
For Jehovah's Witnesses, receiving medical care can be difficult. They cite Biblical passages as reasons they refuse allogeneic blood transfusion, including whole blood, red blood cells, white cells, platelets and plasma, and preoperative autologous blood deposits.

This has created challenges for those in the medical community, especially physicians. However, the recent interest in bloodless technology is giving hope to those who reject blood products for whatever reason.

Patricia Ford, MD, hematologist/oncologist and medical director of CBMS, became interested in bloodless medicine about 12 years ago when talking to a colleague about a Jehovah's Witness patient who refused blood products.

"I was fascinated by the theory behind the medicine," Dr. Ford said. "I had never performed a bloodless procedure before, but I felt these people needed someone to offer them a chance few physicians would or could."

Since then, Dr. Ford has performed the largest number of successful stem cell transplants without blood transfusion of anyone in the world. She has seen firsthand how bloodless medicine can be the miracle patients have been hoping for.

"My first patient was in his early 30s, dying of lymphoma and had only a 3-4 month life expectancy," Dr. Ford recalled. "Both of us knew we were taking a huge chance [with the transplant]. But there was no other alternative. My decision helped save a dying man."

Applications and Techniques
Not only does bloodless medicine benefit those who reject blood products on religious grounds, it can prevent a patient from experiencing a blood reaction or a possible contamination. Other health benefits include faster wound healing, less chance of infection, fewer transfusion-associated complications, faster recovery time and shorter hospitalizations, Dr. Ford said. Additionally, bloodless medicine can aid in blood supply issues.

Before surgery, Dr. Ford uses medicines to build red blood cells and manages a patient's hemoglobin count. She has prepared patients from all over the country for bloodless medicine and surgery procedures including cardiothoracic surgery, radical hysterectomies, prostatectomies, cystectomies, aneurysm repair, chemotherapy management, and total hip and knee surgery.

"The needs of the Jehovah's Witness community have helped us develop practices that cannot only save their lives, but can also benefit the entire patient community," she said.

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