Since the Bleeding & Clotting Disorders Institute was founded in 2010, over 7,000 individuals have received comprehensive care for bleeding, blood clotting or other blood disorders from BCDI’s team of experts. Among many accomplishments, BCDI is the only nonprofit federally funded Hemophilia Treatment Center of Excellence in downstate Illinois.
At the heart of BCDI’s mission is a commitment to providing integrated family-oriented care along with treatment and education for individuals with bleeding, blood clotting, and other blood disorders. BCDI’s top priority is the well-being of our patients and their families, and that relationship is supported by our incomparable team of leaders in hematology care, cutting-edge research, and thorough patient education.
BCDI’s board-certified hematologists and clinical care team are highly trained in treating patients of all ages diagnosed with bleeding, blood clotting, and other blood disorders. We believe that receiving personalized care from compassionate, experienced staff is key to achieving optimal health and wellbeing. Because of that, BCDI uses a comprehensive care approach for our patients, which includes physical, mental, and emotional challenges assessed and treated by a variety of expert caregivers.
The clinical comprehensive care team at BCDI includes our accomplished group of four physicians, seven advanced practice providers, nurse coordinators and clinical support, physical therapists, medical social worker, registered dietitian, dentists, and an immunologist. Together, our clinical comprehensive care team helps patients manage their condition by providing proper education and guidance, minimizing the impact of their diagnosis on daily life, and following up with their primary care providers to ensure continuity of care. BCDI patients and families alike report an improved quality of life resulting from this approach.
BCDI’s main campus is at the corner of Northmoor Road and Knoxville Avenue in Peoria, IL. Our state-of-the-art, 22,000 square foot facility opened in 2021 and includes 12 patient exam rooms, an infusion suite, a physical therapy room, the BCDI Pharmacy, Laboratory, Research Program, and telehealth technology capabilities.
In addition to practicing in the Peoria office, BCDI providers travel to nine other communities across Illinois at our comprehensive care outreach clinics. BCDI outreach supports individuals in the communities of Rockford, Ottawa, Macomb, Moline, Decatur, Arthur, Springfield, Champaign, and Carbondale throughout the year to provide quality care for individuals near their homes, saving the stress of traveling from far away to meet with their care team.
To further optimize patient care and healthier lives, BCDI has a dedicated on-site pharmacy. The BCDI pharmacy is located within the Peoria campus, allowing seamless communication with the clinical staff to ensure the best outcomes for patients are achieved. If necessary, BCDI can deliver medication the same-day orders are requested via the BCDI courier system. This is achievable as the pharmacy’s goals are completely aligned with those of the BCDI comprehensive care clinics and providers.
The BCDI Pharmacy is dual accredited through URAC and ACHC. To earn these accreditations, the pharmacy must prove it provides top quality care and has designs in place to increase patient safety and quality improvement. BCDI believes rising to this challenge helps demonstrate the value the pharmacy supplies.
Beyond caring for patients and their overall health and wellbeing, BCDI is a leader in clinical and translational research in the areas of hemostasis, thrombosis, and benign hematology. Grant-funded projects are BCDI physician-led in collaboration with medical colleagues, nationally and internationally, to bring cutting-edge research and treatment throughout Illinois. In 2023 alone, BCDI’s providers authored or contributed to at least 28 different research publications. The Dills Family Foundation Center for Research at BCDI, launched by a generous donation from the Dills Family Foundation, has helped BCDI researchers continue to improve the lives of those in the bleeding and clotting disorders community.
BCDI’s dedicated staff is honored to serve communities throughout Illinois. Whether a patient is newly diagnosed or living with an inherited diagnosis, BCDI is here to support them through their journey. As BCDI strives to be an advocate for patients and communities served, the bar is continually set high for medical excellence.
Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month
March is Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month and BCDI is dedicated to being a leader in spreading awareness about bleeding disorders throughout the community. Bleeding disorders affect thousands of Americans and oftentimes, become a life-long diagnosis requiring frequent doctor’s visits, expensive medications and mindfulness of potential symptoms and lifestyle choices.
Bleeding disorders are a group of conditions that share the inability to form a proper blood clot. They are characterized by extended bleeding after injury, surgery, trauma, or menstruation. Sometimes the bleeding is spontaneous, without a known or identifiable cause. Improper clotting can be caused by defects in blood components such as platelets or clotting proteins, also called clotting factors. The body produces 13 clotting factors; if any of them are defective or deficient, blood clotting is affected. A mild, moderate, or severe bleeding disorder can result.
The most common types of bleeding disorders that the BCDI team treats are Hemophilia A, Hemophilia B, von Willebrand Disease, Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura, and Platelet Function Disorders. Some bleeding disorders can be inherited or acquired, while others can occur from such conditions as anemia, cirrhosis of the liver, HIV, leukemia, or vitamin K deficiency. Bleeding disorders can also result from certain medications that thin the blood, including aspirin, heparin, and warfarin.
While learning about bleeding disorders, it is imperative to know what the signs and symptoms of a potential diagnosis are, including:
- Bleeding into joints, muscles, and soft tissues.
- Excessive nosebleeds.
- Prolonged, heavy menstrual periods.
- Unexplained bruising.
Extended bleeding after minor cuts, blood draws or vaccinations, minor surgery, or dental procedures.
Treatment for bleeding disorders varies depending on condition and severity. For some bleeding disorders, there is clotting factor concentrate that is infused as a preventive measure or on-demand at home to prevent or treat bleeds. For other bleeding disorders, there are topical products, nasal sprays and fresh frozen plasma, which is administered in a hospital setting.
While there are some commonplace treatments and remedies for individuals with bleeding disorders, each case should take the patient’s entire health record and journey into account. That’s why BCDI implements a comprehensive care approach that supports our patients and their families with thorough physical, mental, and psychological attention and care. At BCDI, patients themselves are an integral part of their support team. This starts with proper education, not only about their specific diagnosis, but also in recognizing symptoms of bleeds, preventing injuries, and general lifestyle choices like travel, physical activity, and family planning. Through community events and patient advocacy group meetings, BCDI patients can connect with others with a similar diagnosis. This type of relationship building helps families cope and learn about their loved one’s diagnosis. From education to supportive services, the staff of BCDI is with the patient every step of the way.
During March, BCDI invites you to join the conversation in raising awareness about bleeding disorders and advocate on behalf of bleeding disorders patients! BCDI will be shining the spotlight regarding bleeding disorders, providing education, and helping spread awareness about these conditions that is held dear to BCDI’s mission. If you would like to learn how you can get involved and take part in Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month, be sure to like and follow the BCDI Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ILBCDI) throughout March!
