BHC Receives Lifesaving Cell Saver Machines from Cardiac Kids Foundation of Florida
- SERHA
- Apr 29
- 2 min read
Kingston, Jamaica. The Bustamante Hospital for Children has received a generous donation of two Cell Saver machines from the Cardiac Kids Foundation of Florida, led by Professor Jeffrey P. Jacobs, on January 11, 2025. This cutting-edge technology will significantly enhance the hospital’s ability to perform complex surgeries while improving patient outcomes. The Cell Saver machine is an advanced autotransfusion device that captures blood lost during surgery, processes it to remove impurities, and safely returns it to the patient. This system ensures that the blood remains sterile and reduces the need for banked blood transfusions, lowering the risks associated with blood shortages and transfusion-related complications.
The technology is particularly beneficial in surgeries with significant blood loss, including cardiac, orthopedic, vascular, and trauma-related procedures. Professor Jeffrey P. Jacobs, Co-Founder and President of the Cardiac Kids Foundation of Florida, emphasized the importance of this donation, “These cell saver machines are more than just equipment; they represent a lifeline for children undergoing heart surgery. By reducing the reliance on donor blood, we can improve surgical outcomes and provide safer, more effective care for our young patients.” Expressing gratitude for the donation, Dr. Michelle-Ann Richards-Dawson, Senior Medical Officer at Bustamante Hospital for Children, stated, “This donation is a game-changer for our surgical teams and young patients. We are deeply grateful to the Cardiac Kids Foundation of Florida for their unwavering support as these donations do not just fund medical procedures, they give families hope, and children a future.”
The Bustamante Hospital for Children is the only pediatric hospital in the Caribbean dedicated exclusively to the treatment of children. The addition of these Cell Saver machines aligns with the hospital’s ongoing efforts to enhance surgical capabilities and provide the highest standard of care to its young patients.
