The summary that appeared in the above mentioned article of the austrian medical journal sounds like it was a Watchtower draft. (google translated) https://medonline.at/2015/experten-roundtable-patient-blood-management/
The myth of the saving blood transfusion
Transfusion triggers and anemia tolerance. In transfusion triggers two groups can be distinguished. On one hand, the hemoglobin level is used as a trigger. Meier: "That's easy to understand, but does not meet the physiological needs of the patient." On the other hand there are triggers such as tachycardia, hypotension, ECG changes or central venous O2 saturation. "The golden bullet 'was here not yet found, among other reasons, because the anemia tolerance of the whole organism may be different from the individual organs," said Meier.
Situation in Austria. While PBM now studied in different countries, and partly such as was also introduced across the board in Australia, the concept in Austria is recognized in principle, but it is not yet implemented in the majority of Austrian hospitals. Exception is the Linz General Hospital, where the former head of the Department of Anesthesiology, University Professor. Dr. Hans Gombotz, has begun implementation of PBM. This was continued by his successor Univ.-Prof Dr. Jens Meier. Under the aegis of Gombotz were also the two "Austrian benchmark" studies "- both funded by the federal health agency - performed.
The first in 2007 published study showed the one hand a high degree of blood transfusions in several indications (knee and hip replacement, coronary surgery) and on the other hand a high degree of variability between individual hospitals within the same indication. So was for example transfusion rate in total hip 16-85 percent. And in 19 percent of patients had a preoperative anemia, which was not corrected before the procedure. compared to the first study, the second, in 2014 published, Austrian benchmark study showed a drop in the average rates of transfusion in orthopedic procedures (from 41 to 30 percent for hip replacement and from 41 to 25 percent for knee replacement), but not in aortocoronary bypass (57 vs . 55 percent).
As before, there was the problem that the majority of preoperative anemia is not corrected adequately. Specifically, the annual consumption of foreign blood is around 50 units per 1,000 inhabitants, is the stated objective is 20 / 1,000. the transfusion volume decreased by 70 percent - at Linz General Hospital, which focuses on PBM, was within eight years - with an unchanged mortality.
Although I dont understand the scientific details I draw your attention to Prof. Gombotz who already retired.
For many years he was chief of the hospital department in Linz where hundreds of J.W. got a treatment, while other hospitals even refused to care for J.W. patients at least in one case. So obviously Linz became center of excellence beginning with 2001. The creation of centers of excellence all over Austria were his last efforts as head of the department. There is no inidication that he is member of J.W.
But already before Prof. Gombotz in Graz treated hundreds of J.W.
Quote: In 2001 he became New Head of Anesthesiology Linz.
Since yesterday, February 1, 2001, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Johann Gombotz the new Head of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care. Previously, he was Deputy Head of the Department of Anesthesiology for Cardiovascular Surgery of the University Hospital Graz. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Johann Gombotz has significantly contributed in Graz in building the emergency system. With more than 500 helicopter missions he is one of the most experienced flight doctors. Since 1990 has Univ.-Prof. Dr. Johann Gombotz about the teaching qualification for the subject anaesthesiology and intensive care. The new Head of anesthesia is 52 years old, married and has a son.
Under the participation of Univ.-Prof. Dr. Johann Gombotz developed at Graz University special blood saving methods and then used. Using this method far more than 100 Jehovah's Witnesses were successfully operated without allogeneic open heart. Also at the Linz General Hospital will in future increasingly used such methods.
http://www.linz.at/presse/archiv/2001/010202.htmAlready 1989 the reports titled 10 years operation at J.W. on open heart.
First Austrian Benchmarkstudy 2007
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17655591
Second Austrian Benchmarkstudy 2014
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24805865
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Concept of PBM by Prof. Gombotz
http://www.bmgf.gv.at/cms/home/attachments/5/8/1/CH1220/CMS1300956828837/05_gombotz_hans_pbm-konzept.pdf
Further similar lectures form 2011 by Prof Hans Gombotz and others like Hofmann, Rehak adressing benchmark study at the austrian gov. site.