Physicians across the U.S. and in Arizona recognize Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) as a pioneer in Patient Blood Management (PBM). After its May 12, 2016 PBM Symposium – Doctors and Patients: The Patient Blood Management Collaboration – many predict YRMC will also become a destination for patients seeking the careful, comprehensive medical expertise PBM requires.

“PBM is fast becoming a cause in the medical community,” said Dale Black, Coordinator, Patient Blood Management Program at YRMC. “We’re proud to support the cause by launching a global conversation about PBM as part of our upcoming Symposium.”

The public can join that conversation and learn more about PBM by:

• Joining YRMC’s Facebook Patient Blood Management Group Page located at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1714568585454170/#_=_
• Following YRMC @YRMCquadcities on Twitter (use #PBMconversation in your tweets)

On Thursday, May 12, 2016 – when Doctors and Patients: The Patient Blood Management Collaboration takes place – the public can get involved by:

• Catching a live stream on Periscope between 10 a.m. thru 8 p.m. (MST)

Watching the 6-8 p.m. (MST) event via live stream portal (For instructions on how to live stream the PBM Symposium visit http://www.yrmc.org/services/patient-blood-management/doctors-and-patients-the-patient-blood-management-collaboration#how-to-watch

​“Our goal is to give people information to start a conversation about PBM with their respective physicians,” said Pierre R. Tibi, MD, FACS, Medical Director, YRMC’s James Family Heart Center. “At YRMC, the PBM concept is straightforward. We view blood as a precious resource and we also know that blood has risks that haven’t been adequately addressed in the past. We work with patients on strategies to preserve that resource and prevent unnecessary blood transfusions.”

Dr. Tibi and other PBM Symposium panelists will discuss these strategies which – implemented before, during and after surgery – can help avoid anemia, prevent inappropriate blood transfusions and decrease bleeding. They also will focus on how medical professionals can communicate the benefits of PBM to patients as well as ways to ensure patients fully understand the risks associated with blood transfusions.

“Research shows that PBM leads to better outcomes for patients as well as shorter hospitalizations and faster recoveries,” Dr. Tibi said.

Expert speakers participating in YRMC’s PBM Symposium, and their topics, include:

• Dale Black, Coordinator, Patient Blood Management, YRMC in Prescott, Arizona Patient Blood Management: It’s All About You!
• Pierre R. Tibi, MD, FACS, The James Family Heart Center at YRMC in Prescott, Arizona The Patient Has Spoken
• Alejandro Chapa, MD, Hospitalist, YRMC in Prescott, Arizona Hemorrhagic Emergencies in the 21st Century: New Drugs, New Problems and What it Means for You
• Aryeh Shander, MD, FCCM, FCCP, Chief, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine, Pain Management and Hyperbaric Medicine, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in Englewood, New Jersey Patient Blood Management: Why, What and Now

For more information about the PBM Symposium, visit YRMC’s website www.yrmc.org/services/patient-blood-management/doctors-and-patients-the-patient-blood-management-collaboration