DONORS REFILL SUPPLY OF O-NEGATIVE BLOOD FOR AIR AMBULANCES
Q: What was the catalyst for Oklahoma Blood Institute’s O-negative blood initiative?
A: We started this initiative last summer because O-negative blood is a critical component in emergency care. At the time, our inventory didn’t allow us to fully supply our state’s air ambulances which, in a rural state like Oklahoma, often are called upon to provide emergency medical transport. At the time, only one of our state’s air ambulances carried the recommended two units of O-negative blood. Eighteen were flying with one unit of O-negative and one unit of O-positive. Four were forced make do with no blood at all. Our goal was to set a higher standard of emergency care by increasing the state’s O-negative blood supply.
Q: Has the initiative been successful?
A: Blood donors are a vital part of the trauma care system and Oklahoma donors answered the call. Thanks to our donors, a full supply of O-negative blood is now available for all of the state’s air ambulances. Immediately following the kickoff of this initiative, we saw an average of 15 new, firsttime O-negative donors each week for the first few months. Our focus now is to continue to connect with new donors while encouraging our existing donor base to actively give. Blood donors save lives, and Oklahomans always step up in times of need.
Q: Why is O-negative blood important for emergency responders?
A: We call O-negative a universal life saver because anyone can receive it, regardless of his/ her own blood type. This is critical in trauma care when seconds count. Emergency responders don’t have the time or equipment to blood type a trauma victim. When they have O-negative blood at the scene, they can immediately begin a necessary transfusion in the field. O-negative blood can buy time for a critical patient, sustaining life until they reach a trauma center.
Q: Is O-negative blood in short supply?
A: Only 7 percent of the population has this blood type. The need is great, but the supply is not. That’s why we are always working to identify new O-negative donors and calling on our known O-negative donors to give frequently.
Q: Where can Oklahomans donate and are you only seeking O-negative donors?
A: We emphasize the need for O-negative donors because of their rarity, but we need donors of all blood types. Every donor and every donation is important. We have donation centers in Oklahoma City, Ada, Ardmore, Edmond, Enid, Lawton, Norman and Tulsa, and we are staffing blood drives across the state almost daily. Anyone interested in donating can schedule an appointment or find a blood drive by calling 877-340-8777 or visiting obi.org.
Q: Other than air ambulances, how else does OBI impact health care in Oklahoma?
A: OBI is the ninth-largest nonprofit blood center in the United States and is the state’s largest biotechnology organization. Our staff recruits an average of 1,200 volunteer blood donors each day. Patients in more than 160 Oklahoma hospitals and air ambulance services, including all hospitals in central Oklahoma, rely exclusively on blood provided by Oklahoma donors through our organization.