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Dr. Tara Katherine Suntum, MD is an internist in Washington, DC specializing in internal medicine (adult medicine), pediatric hematology/oncology and general pediatrics. She graduated from University of Maryland School of Medicine in 2013 and has 13 years of experience. Dr. Tara Katherine Suntum, MD is affiliated with MedStar Health.
Blood Transfusion
Blood transfusions typically treat those who experience a substantial loss of blood from an injury or surgical procedure, or those who suffer from conditions that alter the blood supply or blood components. For example, a blood transfusion may contribute additional red blood cells to someone with anemia, a condition where the body does not produce enough red blood cells. Other conditions may include:
When a patient has sufficient blood volume and lacks one or more components, a complete blood count (CBC) test can help determine if a patient requires a transfusion by measuring four blood components: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin. If any of the patient's component counts is significantly below a standard range, the patient will likely need a blood transfusion. The complete blood count test uses a needle to extract a small amount of blood for testing.
Blood transfusion recipients should be tested for their blood type, which is one of four different types: type A, B, AB, or O. Patients with A, B, and O blood can only receive a blood donation matching their blood type or of O blood, which is known as the universal donor. Those with AB blood are considered "universal recipients"; they may receive A, B, AB, or O blood. Further complicating blood types is the presence or absence of the RhD antigen, adding a positive or negative modifier that should also be considered. Incompatible blood donations may cause transfusion sickness, such as a hemolytic reaction, where the body fights the donated red blood cells.
In certain emergency or trauma situations, medical teams often do not perform a complete blood count (CBC) test or blood type test. In those cases, patients are often given O negative blood, which is universally accepted. Some patients have their blood type on a medical card or bracelet, allowing emergency medical teams to issue compatible blood without testing.
Transfusions are performed by inserting a needle attached to an intravenous line (IV) into a vein in the body. This IV line is attached to a bag of blood that steadily dispenses blood into the patient's bloodstream. The type, volume, and components of donated blood depend on the patient's condition and needs. After the transfusion is complete, patients are generally permitted to resume normal activity, unless prohibited by a condition or injury. Some patients may experience bruising or soreness around the area that the needle was inserted.
At times, a second complete blood count test is performed to determine if the transfusion has brought patients' component counts to normal levels. Some patients may require multiple blood transfusions to reach a healthy blood volume and blood component count.
Once patients' blood volumes and components reach sufficient levels, they will generally begin to feel better. Patients of all ages, from newborn infants to elderly adults, can receive a blood transfusion.
Dr. Tara Katherine Suntum, MD graduated from University of Maryland School of Medicine in 2013. She completed residency at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatrics and has a state license in District of Columbia.
Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine (2013)
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Affiliated Hospitals (2017)
Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatrics
Licensed In: District of Columbia
Dr. Tara Katherine Suntum, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Tara Katherine Suntum, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: MultiPlan, Optimum Choice, Optima Health, MAMSI, Magellan Health Services, United Healthcare Choice Plus, United Healthcare Choice, First Health PPO, Blue Choice, Great-West Healthcare, Coventry, TRICARE Reserve Select, Anthem, Aetna Managed Choice POS, Beech Street PPO, Aetna HMO, Kaiser Permanente, CIGNA PPO, CIGNA EPO, Aetna Medicare PPO, Aetna Medicare PFFS, CIGNA Indemnity, AmeriHealth, AARP, Medicare Advantage, TriWest, Coventry National Network PPO, Highmark, Amerigroup, United Healthcare, Medicaid, Humana, Cigna, Sentara Health Plans, WellPoint, United Healthcare Community Plan (AmeriChoice), Humana Medicare Advantage PPO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, CIGNA PPO Plus, HealthyBlue PPO, Aetna Premier 200PD, MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice, CareFirst NASCO, M.D. IPA Preferred (POS), Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS), CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO, IH-PPO, TRICARE East Prime, DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans, Aetna Advantage 6350PD, MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families, CareFirst EPO, Optimum Choice Preferred (POS), OCI Direct (HMO), Medicare Direct, Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans, Aetna Open Choice (PPO), OA Plus, CareFirst Administrators, United Student Resources, IH-Network Only Plus, IH-POS, Aetna Classic 5000, Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA, CareFirst Community Health Plan of Maryland, Healthy Blue (HMO, POS), IH-POS Plus, Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice, Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA, CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan, Health Services for Children with Special Needs, Choice POS II, CareFirst Blue Card Program, Choice Fund PPO, IH-EPO Plus, Aetna VA Exchange, Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS), Aetna Better Health of Virginia, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced, Aetna Worker's Compensation Network, Options PPO Cardiac Global, Uniformed Services Family Health Plan, Aetna Advantage 5750, IH-Open HMO Option, HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO, Aetna Basic, CareFirst FEP Blue Focus, Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global, MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance, IH-Open EPO Plus, Core Essential (HMO), IH-Open POS Plus, Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO, Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network, MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global, CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO, Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS), IH-Open HMO, Aetna Advantage 6350, M.D. IPA (HMO), Erickson Advantage Plans, Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund), POS OA, Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS), IH-Open POS II, Aetna Classic 5000PD, Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO, CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP, Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice, Aetna Student Health Insurance, Private Health Care Systems (PPO), Choice POS, Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account, IH-Indemnity, CareFirst MedStar PPO, CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity, Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO), United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans, IH-HMO, IH-Open Network Only Plus, HumanaChoice PPO, CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO), Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO, Medicare FFS, Maryland Physicians Care MCO, Veterans Affairs Community Care Network, Advantra Platinum (PPO), Aetna Better Health of Maryland, BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage), Choice POS II Open Access, Employee Health Plan, Navigate, Police and Fire Clinic, Network OA, TRICARE East Select, TRICARE for Life East, CareFirst MedStar Select PPO and Aetna Classic 3500.
According to our sources, Dr. Tara Katherine Suntum, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Tara Katherine Suntum, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 34 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Tara Katherine Suntum, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Washington, DC.
These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Tara Katherine Suntum, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.
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$113
SOLIRIS $113 |
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$43
ASPARLAS $43 |
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$27
GAMIFANT $27 |
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$24
Arrow $24 |
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$18
OXBRYTA $18 |
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$11
VONVENDI $11 |
| $237 |
Dr. Suntum is dual-trained in internal medicine and pediatrics, caring for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer and blood disorders. Her clinical expertise includes AYA cancer care, anemias, ...
