News

NorthBay to offer 'bloodless surgery' option

By Ben Antonius | Daily Republic | February 25, 2008 16:41

FAIRFIELD - A generous donation by a Suisun Valley family will lead to new surgical options at NorthBay Healthcare, hospital officials said Monday.

The medical center will soon have its own cutting-edge technology to conduct so-called 'bloodless surgery,' officials said Monday. In the process, a patient can have his or her own blood filtered and re-transfused instead of receiving transfusions of donated blood.

The arrival of bloodless surgery, technically known as cell-saver continuous blood flow technology, heralds a great advancement in operating room capabilities and patient safety, said Dr. Don Denmark, NorthBay's vice president of medical affairs.

Behind it all is a $320,000 donation from Suisun Valley winemaker Frank Vezér and his family. In addition to the $320,000 bequest, a donated magnum of Vezér's exclusive 2005 La Sallette Petite Sirah fetched $30,000 at the Open the Bottle Night fundraiser Saturday evening.

'The entire Vezér family is very honored to have the opportunity to give back to a community that has been so kind to our family and friends,' Vezér said.

In a prepared statement, the family said they supported NorthBay because the medical center 'helped deliver two of our daughters' and tended to a family member following a car accident.

Bloodless surgery reduces many risks associated with surgery. There is no waiting for blood to be delivered or screened before surgery and because donated blood is not being used, there is no possibility of the patient having a negative reaction to the transfusion.

The hefty bid for the 2005 La Sallette could be the highest price ever paid for a bottle of Suisun Valley wine, said Bill Fell, chairman of the board of NorthBay Healthcare Foundation.

Fell said the bloodless surgery program would be a 'cornerstone' of a planned heart care center. The heart center remains in the preliminary planning stages but would be the first advanced cardiovascular program in Solano County.

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