Overview

Comprehensive care for people of all ages with bleeding disorders

Bleeding disorders refer to conditions in which blood doesn’t clot as it should. Hemophilia is the most well-known of these conditions.

Most bleeding disorders are caused when the clotting factors or platelets don’t work the way they should. When the blood doesn’t clot, prolonged bleeding can occur.

At UW Health, we diagnose, treat and provide supportive care for children and adults with bleeding disorders. We also help their families. Our goal is to manage these conditions so people can lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

Conditions and treatments

Helping you take control

Learning that you or your child have a bleeding disorder can be scary and overwhelming. We work to lessen your fears and help you take charge of your well-being.

Conditions we treat 

The most common bleeding disorders we treat include: 

Treatment 

Treatment depends on the condition you have and how severe it is. The treatment might replace a missing clotting factor, increase your body’s own clotting factor or stop the breakdown of a clot. 

We use medication to prevent bleeds. We can also use it to stop a bleed that’s already happening. Some medicines are injected into a vein or under your skin. Others you take by mouth or as a nose spray. In many cases, we can teach you how to give your own treatments at home. 

At UW Health, our providers stay up-to-date on the latest treatments. We also stay abreast of promising new therapies.

Programs and research

Caring for patients, increasing knowledge, advancing medicine

At UW Health, our pediatric specialists work with each patient and their family to develop the care plan that is right for them. We participate in education, outreach, research and national networks and programs to increase understanding of bleeding disorders.

Current programs and research

Our clinic specializes in the diagnosis, management and treatment of bleeding and clotting disorders in teens and young adults with a focus on abnormal menstrual bleeding, contraception, surgery and emergency treatment planning.

We offer education, outreach and psychosocial support at both the individual and community levels. This includes working with the Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation for group activities like Camp Klotty Pine as well as conferences.

We are part of several national networks and programs. Our work with these groups allows us to give you the best care and to pursue better care for patients in the future. 

  • American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network (ATHN): We work with the ATHN to gather data that helps us learn more about bleeding disorders. These efforts are intended to improve access to care and quality of care. 

  • Hemophilia Treatment Centers: We are one of roughly 150 comprehensive Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTC) in the U.S. The HTC model of care uses a team approach that focuses on improving health and quality of life. Studies have shown that people who receive care at HTCs have fewer and shorter hospital stays and emergency room visits.

  • Community Counts: Community Counts is a program of the CDC’s Division of Blood Disorders. As part of this project, we gather and share information about health issues and complications that affect people cared for in HTCs.

Through research and clinical trials, we work to find new and improved treatments. Currently, we are studying a type of gene therapy that may help the body produce clotting factors on its own. 

Meet our team

Remarkable care takes a team

Your care team will include providers with special training in bleeding disorders. We work together to develop a plan of care for you and also work with other health care providers to help them understand your bleeding disorder. This can be important if you need surgery or are experiencing illness or injury that can affect bleeding.

Our team is made up of:

Our hematologists are board-certified pediatric or adult physicians. They diagnose and treat your bleeding disorder. 

Our nurses assess general health and bleeding-related problems. They educate you on the care of your bleeding disorder. This may include providing self-infusion training. They can also provide education to schools and care providers about your bleeding disorder.

Our social workers provide emotional and mental health support. Social workers help identify and address any barriers to care for your bleeding disorder. They can provide referrals to financial assistance programs and coordinate payment sources to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, for instance.

Genetic counselors can help you understand your condition, how it could affect other family members and help you with future family planning.

Our health psychologists focus on your behavioral and emotional needs. They can help you with coping and adjustment and provide tips to help reduce procedure-related anxiety. They can also help if it’s hard for you to follow the advice of your health care team.

Our registered dietitian provides information on improving your health through better nutrition.

Bleeding may occur in muscles and joints. Our physical therapists conduct evaluations and recommendations to promote joint and muscle health. They assist in preventing injuries and develop a treatment plan if an injury does occur.

Our pharmacists provide medication counseling. Medications and supplies are filled by the UW Health Specialty Mail Service Pharmacy. We can deliver them to your home.

Our phlebotomists are trained to make blood draws go smoothly. We have a special coagulation lab on-site to process blood clotting tests efficiently.

Our child life specialists help children, adolescents and families cope with the challenge of illness and being at the hospital. They offer several programs and services to make things more manageable for the whole family.

Hematology

Locations

How to find us

We treat bleeding disorders at the following locations:

Patient and family resources

Additional information

The more you know about bleeding disorders and how we care for them, the more comfortable you can become living with one.

Learn more

These resources can help you learn more about bleeding disorders and their treatments:

Online resources

You can always turn to your care team with questions about bleeding disorders or caring for yourself or your child. These organizations can also be helpful:

Additional resources