Adult Hematology

What is hematology?

At our Blood Disorders Center, we treat a variety of complex blood disorders and cancers, including sickle cell, chronic anemia, leukemia and thalassemia. Treatments may include blood product transfusions, iron infusions, injections and autologous bone marrow stem cell transplants.

To help make the process easier for you, we coordinate with Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH) regional health centers to help you receive routine infusions closer to home.

Hematology treatments, services and procedures

Bone marrow transplants

Bone marrow transplantation is a complex process that will require several months of preparation. Our dedicated team will discuss with you your personalized plan and the requirements for the treatment, as well as explaining what to expect as you prepare for transplant.

Blood products infusion and therapeutic apheresis

Some chronic blood disorders require dedicated blood and plasma infusion care. This may include the use of machines for exchange of these blood products (apheresis). At JHAH, you can be assured you are in safe hands, with experts from our blood bank and hematology teams providing this specialized treatment.

Bleeding disorders

Bleeding disorders affect the way your blood clots (coagulates), and can mean easy or heavy bleeding. Hemophilia is perhaps the best-known bleeding disorder, though it is relatively rare and mostly affects males. A more common bleeding disorder is Von Willebrand disease, which is caused by clotting proteins. At JHAH, we have the expertise to diagnose and manage these complex problems, providing treatments such as plasma transfusions or injecting clotting factor agents into your bloodstream.

What to expect from hematology

Your unique medical case will first be reviewed by our hematology nurse coordinator and the assigned hematologist. You may be asked to complete necessary laboratory testing or other referrals prior to your first clinic appointment. Our specialist physicians will work with you to develop a dedicated treatment plan. After deciding on the best path forward, we will order any additional tests, medications and other referrals, and get you started on your treatment.

Laboratory test results are very important to your treatment plan, and you can expect to routinely visit your local laboratory prior to all appointments and treatments. Our nursing staff will call you 48 hours before your appointment to review your laboratory work, or remind you to have this completed prior to coming to the clinic. For all procedures, you will be given detailed preparation instructions.

On the day of treatment or infusion, we will assess your general health, and your laboratory results will be reviewed if necessary. We will keep you informed of the results and what is going on at every stage of your treatment. It is important that you let your nurses know if you feel unwell or have a fever, as this may affect your treatment.

Our infusion center team of nurses, doctors and pharmacists will work together to prepare your infusions. As your treatment may be customized for your particular needs, there may be a wait for your medication or therapy to arrive. During this time, you, and anyone accompanying you, can wait in the treatment area. Every effort is made to limit your wait time and ensure the high quality and safety of your medication.

Your treatment may require accessing blood vessels either through a small vein in your arm or a larger vein in your upper chest or lower neck (central veinous access). You may also be given intravenous hydration before or after your medication has been administered. This will be a part of your consultation with the nurse, and explained to you at that time. Treatment may last between one and eight hours, depending on the type of therapy you are receiving.

Once your treatment is complete, you will be given specific discharge instructions and we will discuss possible side effects, complications or other concerns. You may be discharged back to your Primary Care physician for general follow-ups or your designated JHAH regional health center for future treatments or laboratory blood testing.