For many years patients who declined blood transfusions had a difficult time getting medical care.  There were a few physicians who rose to challenge.  One notable surgeon was Dr Denton Cooley in Texas.  Already a famous cardiac surgeon, Dr Cooley wanted to accomodate the needs of Jehovah's Witnesses.  He was the first to prime the heart-lung machine without stored blood products.  He added cell-saver and pre-operative anemia correction to his treatment plan. He nicknamed these collectively the bloodless surgery techniques, and the term was born.

 Hackensack University Medical Center Responding to Community Needs

The Center for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center was created in 1997 in response to the needs of our patients who reject the concept of receiving donated blood. Some individuals refuse transfusions due to religious beliefs. And although the Food and Drug Administration has deemed the blood supply safe, there are those who believe that transfusions will always carry some risk of blood-borne infections and immune system suppression.

Whatever your reason for seeking medical care using bloodless medicine techniques, you can rest assured that the staff at The Center for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery will adhere to your wishes and respect your convictions.  We guide you every step along the way from physician referral to discharge planning.