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.htm
Already 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
____
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.
http://www.bmgf.gv.at/home/Schwerpunkte/Medizin/Blut_Gewebe_Organe/Blut_und_Blutprodukte/Fachvortraege_Mythos_Blut_Symposium_Patient_Blood_Management
