A Study of the Safety and Effectiveness of Epoetin Alfa in Facilitating Self-donation of Blood Before Surgery in Patients Who Are Undergoing Orthopedic Surgery and Who Have Low Hematocrit Levels (the Percent of Red Blood Cells in Whole Blood)

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients scheduled for hip replacement surgery * having an anticipated requirement of 3 or more units of blood * having a hematocrit level \<=0.39 * having a hemoglobin level \<= 12.5 grams/deciliter * having laboratory tests within normal ranges, including stool negative for occult blood Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with a history of any blood disease * having signs and symptoms of significant disease/dysfunction, or signs and symptoms of significant ongoing blood loss * having uncontrolled high blood pressure, or a folate, vitamin B12, or iron deficiency, or signs and symptoms suggestive of an autoimmune disease causing blood to break down and release iron-containing pigment * taking medication known to suppress the formation of red blood cells within 1 month before the start of the study * having a history of seizures, or the presence of active inflammatory disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), however, patients with osteoarthritis may be included in this study