Fly, Treat, and Thrive: Why International Patients Choose Us for Venesection

Venesection in India

Venesection is a medical practice in which a measured volume of blood is removed out of vein. It is performed either because of some therapeutic intentions (to treat some conditions) or some diagnostic intentions (to gather blood samples).

It is also one of the oldest medical operations that are still applied in certain cases nowadays.

Indications / When It’s Done

Venesection is primarily performed to decrease the total amount of blood or decrease the iron or red blood cells that are not needed in the body. Common conditions include:

• Polycythemia vera (excessive number of red blood cells in blood)
• Hemochromatosis (iron overload)
• Porphyria cutanea tarda (a sort of porphyria)
• Sickle cell crisis (uncommonly, in special protocols)
• Cyanotic heart disease (to lower viscosity of blood)

Procedure of Venesection

Preparation

• Patient sits or lies down.
• Vital signs checked.
• Consent obtained.

Site Selection

• Usually in the middle of the cubital vein (inside the elbow).

Cannulation

• A large-bore needle or cannula is inserted.

Blood Removal

• 350-500 ml of blood removed over 10-15 minutes.

Post-procedure

• Pertussus of puncture site.
• Patient to take rest and have fluids.

Benefits of Venesection

• Lowers the hematocrit (thickness of blood).
• Reduces iron overload in human body.
• Enhances the symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and fatigue in the conditions that consist of excess blood cells.

Frequency

• Varies by condition.
• Example: Hemochromatosis can require venesection every week initially, and then every 2 to 3 months.

Venesection procedure in India

Phlebotomy or venesection is a trivial operation, where blood is drawn out of a vein, either as treatment or diagnosis. It is usually done to decrease the volume of blood, its viscosity or iron content in various illnesses.

Purpose of Venesection

Venesection should usually be prescribed in patients having:

• Polycythemia vera - to lower the blood cell count and the thickness of blood.
• Hemochromatosis- to reduce excess of iron in the body.
• Porphyria cutanea tarda – to minimize accumulation of iron that aggravates symptoms.
• Chronic heart or lung disease - sometimes used to reduce blood viscosity.

Preparation

• The physician examines the medical history and blood test of the patient.

The patient may be advised to:

• Hydrate prior to the operation.
• Should not take heavy meals or smoke before venesection.
• Notify the medical staff regarding any anti-coagulant drugs or hemorrhage.

Step-by-Step Procedure

Positioning:

• The patient sits or lies comfortably and with an extended arm.

Site Selection:

• A vein of large size (typically in the antecubital fossa - inner elbow) is selected.

Sterilization:

• Cleaning of the site is done with antiseptic solution in order to avoid infection.

Needle Insertion:

• A sterile needle is used to obtain a sample of blood in the vein, about 350-500 mL of blood is collected in a sterile bag or a sterile container.

Completion:

When the appropriate volume is collected:

• The needle is removed.
• The puncture site is subjected to pressure.
• A bandage is applied in order to prevent bleeding.

Post-Procedure Monitoring:

• The patient is allowed a 10-15 minutes rest.
• Monitoring of vital signs is done to avoid fainting or dizziness.
• Liquid and light foods can be provided to facilitate healing.

Duration

• The process is usually relevant in 15-30 minutes, with preparation and observation.

Aftercare

• Leave the dressing on several hours.
• Do not have intense activity within 24 hours.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• A cold compress should be used in case of bruising or swelling.

Factors Affecting Venesection treatment cost in India

The various factors affecting cost of Venesection in India are detailed as follows:

Type of Facility

• Private Hospitals/Clinics: The cost is more expensive because of infrastructure, personnel and the quality of services.
• Specialty Centers: Centers which specifically deal with hemochromatosis or polycythemia might be more expensive with specialised monitoring.

Complexity of Procedure

• Simple blood withdrawal is less expensive, which is known as Standard Venesection.
• Monitoring Therapeutic Venesection: Costs should be higher in the case of monitoring of vital, hematocrit or iron levels.
• High Volume or Multiple Sessions: The more the sessions, the higher the cost.

Location of Hospital/Clinic

• Metropolitan Cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai): Urban infrastructure and overheads increase the costs.
• Tier-2/Tier-3 Cities: Reduced costs because of reduced operation costs.

Physician Expertise

• Skilled Professionals: This may be charged at a higher price by experienced specialists, and hematologists or highly experienced physicians.
• General Physicians/Nurses: Less experienced employees can save money, yet it is still being done in a safe manner.

Diagnostic Tests and follow up

• Pre-procedure Tests: CBC (Complete Blood Count), Iron Studies, Liver Function Tests.
• Follow-Up Care: Monitoring Vital and Repeat Blood.
• The expenses are higher in case several lab analyses are involved.

Frequency of Sessions

• Single Session: cheaper.
• Maintenance or Regular Therapy: Long-term therapy is an expensive therapy that accumulates after repeated therapy.

Amenities/Services at the hospital

• Individualized attention, air-conditioning, and expedited services can add to the total bill.
• Other centers would incorporate the nursing care and follow-up in the fee and others would charge.

Best hospitals for venesection in India

• Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
• Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon
• Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
• Max Hospital, Saket

Factors Affecting Affordable venesection treatment in India

The following are the main determinants of the affordability of venesection (or associated blood-letting / therapeutic blood removal) treatment, in India:

Nature of Medical Condition / Indication

• The reason behind the need of the venesection (e.g. hemochromatosis, polycythemia vera) dictates the frequency of its administration, the amount of blood/blood removed, and the monitoring required. More complicated or acute cases are expensive to control.

Blood removed Frequency & Volume

• The bigger or more frequent the session, the higher the number of consumables, the amount of staff time, and the increased monitoring.

Setting of Treatment

• The public hospitals are typically cheaper; the private hospitals impose higher costs on the use of facilities, employees, equipment.
• Inpatient vs outpatient: in case of necessity to stay at the hospital room charges et cetera accumulate.

Location / City

• In the metro cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, etc.), the labour, real estate, overheads will be charged more. Smaller towns are cheaper.
• Inequality of cost of living, health facilities, etc. in the regions.

Doctor / Staff Expertise

• Higher fees are charged to more senior hematologists or specialist physicians / technicians.
• In the case of specialized personnel, e.g. vascular access skills, then it becomes more expensive.

Pre-Operation Tests and Surveillance

• Blood tests (CBC, iron studies, etc.), imaging (where applicable), follow-up/monitoring during/after surgery.
• Follow-ups and dealing with complications in case they arise.

Equipment & Consumables

• Sterile equipment, bags, antiseptics, perhaps special phlebotomy.
• The quality of supplies (cheaper vs premium) may differ in cost.

Hospital / Clinic Infrastructure

• The facility is well-equipped, accredited, has superior safety measures, nicer rooms etc, which escalate overheads.

Kind of Anaesthesia / Sedation (in case of any)

• Low/no anaesthesia is usually used but in case of special sedation/pain control, it becomes expensive.

Logistics and Other Miscellaneous Expenditure

• Commute, stay over (where necessary), accommodation in case treatment is distant.
• Compression clothes (where necessary) cost, medication, follow-ups.

Venesection treatment in India with GetWellGo

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

• Complete transparency
• Fair costs.
• 24 hour availability.
• Medical E-visas
• Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
• Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for Venesection treatment.
• Expert doctor with a strong track record of success
• Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
• Language Support
• Travel and Accommodation Services
• Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
• Local SIM Cards
• Currency Exchange
• Arranging Patient’s local food