What is the primary goal of a patient blood management program?

The primary goal of a patient blood management program is to optimize the care of patients who might need blood transfusions. This involves a comprehensive approach that considers a patient's needs before, during, and after a procedure.

Patient blood management encompasses strategies aimed at minimizing unnecessary transfusions while ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate care. This includes using techniques to manage anemia, enhancing the patient's red blood cell mass, and implementing best practices for transfusion to improve patient outcomes. The focus is not solely on avoiding the need for blood transfusions but rather on providing safe, effective, and patient-centered care that prioritizes the individual's needs.

In this context, minimizing blood loss during surgeries and ensuring blood availability for emergencies are important aspects of blood management, but they are components of a broader strategy rather than the primary goal. Reducing costs, while a relevant consideration, is a secondary benefit that arises from optimizing care and effectively managing patient blood needs.