The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) has opened a Hemophilia and Thrombosis Treatment Center established by the College of Medicine. A hospital spokesperson said it is the only one of its kind within 150 miles offering comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment for all benign or noncancerous blood disorders to the adult population.
Sandeep Rajan, MD, a hematologist and an associate professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at UTHSC is the medical director of the facility which opened late last month.
Rajan estimates that 750 to 800 people in the area suffer from bleeding disorders of one form or another. Roughly 350 to 400, mostly males, are hemophiliacs, whose blood has a reduced ability to clot. The rest are those with common and rare conditions, including anemia, thalassemia (abnormal formulation of hemoglobin), and thrombosis (increased tendency toward clotting).
The clinic offers care for these patients, and also treats patients with Hepatitis C, platelet disorders, abnormal proliferation of blood cells in the bone marrow, abnormal iron metabolism, and women’s health issues, such as excessive bleeding and clotting.
One of only 120 in the country, the clinic aims to be a one-stop-shop, bringing together hematology physician services, nursing, case management and social work, infusion therapy, physical therapy, dentistry, a laboratory, and pharmaceutical services to provide the best care. The clinic also has primary care physicians for routine health needs and collaborates with specialists.
The clinic has grown gradually, with hematology and primary physician and infusion services launching in March, 2016. The multi-team, comprehensive care began in March.