Patient Blood Management

Since 2020, the Zuger Kantonsspital has been one of the first Swiss hospitals to implement Patient Blood Management (PBM). This multidisciplinary and patient-centred treatment approach comprises various measures designed to reduce and prevent anaemia and blood loss, as well as to ensure the rational use of blood products. The use of Patient Blood Management enhances patient safety and helps to reduce costs.

The three pillars of patient blood management

Patient Blood Management is based on three pillars:

Reducing the prevalence of anaemia prior to major procedures
Reducing blood loss and, consequently, the need for transfusions
Increasing tolerance to anaemia and, where necessary, administering transfusions in accordance with strict guidelines

The role of the referring doctor (Pillar 1)

The measures under the first pillar are carried out at the GP’s surgery. Here, at least three weeks before a planned major procedure (see list of procedures - German only) (Eingriffsliste), any pre-existing anaemia must be assessed and treated in accordance with the standardised ‘Anaemia Diagnosis and Treatment’ process (German only) Anämie-Diagnostik und -therapie». In the case of very urgent procedures, the three-week lead time does not need to be observed; in such cases, the measures may be implemented at shorter notice without waiting for the full effect of the treatment to take hold.

A list of procedures involving significant blood loss, for which Patient Blood Management is applied, can be found here (German only - Eingriffsliste). If one of the procedures on this list is planned for your patients, we would ask you to initiate the necessary assessments and any corrective measures. If this is not possible, these can also be carried out on an outpatient basis at our hospital. If you have any questions or would like to arrange an appointment, our pre-operative consultation team will be happy to assist you:
T +41 41 399 33 15, praeoperative.sprechstunde@zgks.ch