Blood drive cancellations lead to shortages
The American Red Cross says blood drive cancellations are on the rise, creating a severe shortage amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Right now, the American
Red Cross has a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations at (various) locations during this coronavirus outbreak,” the American Red Cross said in a statement. “Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood.”
Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood with the Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood. org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or enabling the Blood Donor
Skill on any Alexa Echo device
As the coronavirus pandemic has grown in the U.S., blood drive cancellations have grown at an “alarming” rate, the Red Cross says.
“To date, nearly 2,700
Red Cross blood drives have been canceled across the country due to concerns about congregating at workplaces, college campuses and schools amidst the coronavirus outbreak,” the Red Cross said. “These cancellations have resulted in some 86,000 fewer blood donations. More than 80 percent of the blood the Red Cross collects comes from drives held at locations of this type.”
The Red Cross says it expects the number of cancellations to continue to increase, which is causing “heightened concern for blood collection organizations and hospitals across the country.
“This blood shortage could impact patients who need surgery, victims of car accidents and other emergencies, or patients suffering from cancer.
“In our experience, the American public comes together to support those in need during times of shortage
and that support is needed now more than ever during this unprecedented public health crisis,” said Chris Hrouda, president, Red Cross Biomedical Services, said in a press release. “Unfortunately, when people stop donating blood, it forces doctors to make hard choices about patient care, which is why we need those who are healthy and well to roll up a sleeve and give the gift of life.”
The Red Cross says its committed to blood drive safety.
“We know that people want to help, but they may be hesitant to visit a blood drive during this time. We want to assure the public that blood donation is a safe process, and we have put additional precautions in place at our blood drives and donation centers to protect all who come out,” said Hrouda.
The Red Cross says it has implemented new measures to ensure blood drives and donation centers are safer for donors and staff, including:
• Checking the temperature of staff and donors
before entering a drive to make sure they are healthy.
• Providing hand sanitizer for use before the drive, as well as throughout the donation process.
• Spacing beds, where possible, to follow social distancing practices between blood donors.
• Increasing enhanced disinfecting of surfaces and equipment.
At each blood drive and donation center, Red Cross employees already follow thorough safety protocols to help prevent the spread of any type of infection, including:
• Wearing gloves and changing gloves with each donor.
• Routinely wiping down
donor-touched areas.
• Using sterile collection sets for every donation.
• Preparing the arm for donation with an aseptic scrub.
“There is no data or evidence that this coronavirus can be transmitted by blood transfusion, and there have been no reported cases of transfusion transmission for any respiratory virus including this coronavirus worldwide,” the Red Cross says. “Volunteer donors are the unsung heroes for patients in need of lifesaving blood transfusions.”
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