BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER)-- Doctors from down under came to Bangor to collaborate with Eastern Maine Medical Center. Their goal is to improve patient blood management by lowering the use of blood transfusions and in turn to lower risk to patients.
Eastern Maine Medical Center's Doctor Irwin Gross said recent studies show every transfusion has potential for adverse consequences, "Chief among those is an effect on a patient's immune system that actually makes them more likely to develop an infection while in the hospital...By avoiding transfusions we are able to help limit that risk."
Eastern Maine Medical Center is recognized around the world for its work with patient blood management. For this reason, the Australian doctors came to share their expertise and learn from Bangor doctors.
Visiting Australian physician, Doctor Shannon Farmer, said this issue has been pushed to the forefront of the medical field, "This has to happen. The supply is becoming challenging, the cost of blood is burgening and it's so important that we improve the way we manage patients."
The American Red Cross has expressed the need for blood donations to replenish their supply. The high cost of blood has providers paying top dollar to treat patients.
According to Doctor Farmer, if more healthcare providers adopted similar patient blood management it would better a patient's care and lower the cost.
The visiting doctors will continue to tour EMMC's facilities and work with their cancer unit.
NEWS CENTER