Sounding the alarm, blood banks say blood supply is at critical levels
Dauphin County, PA — Blood supply is at critical levels and blood banks are sounding the alarm.
“Without those life-saving blood transfusions, some people won’t get an extra hour, an extra day, an extra month or an extra lifetime with their family,” Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank Spokesperson Jay Wimer told CBS 21 News’ Samantha York.
“We do have a critical blood shortage and it’s not just here in Pennsylvania, it’s nationwide,” Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson said. “During the pandemic, people are just not donating as much and we still have a need for blood, and even as you know we have seen disasters or we’ve had flooding or hurricanes or even accidents. People do need blood.”
Hospitals transfuse about 200 patients or more a day in central Pennsylvania, but they’re dealing with extremely low blood supply. Because of COVID-19, donors aren’t coming out due to illness or in an effort to avoid getting sick. There’s also staffing shortages, so blood banks are unable to hold large blood drives. Winter weather also deters volunteers from donating. As a result, the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank is currently keeping the systems at around 60-70% of normal supply.
“That obviously is creating challenges for the hospitals,” Wimer explained. “We are working very closely with them to make sure that everyone gets what they need.”
As of Wednesday, Jan. 5, the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center had enough fresh Type O blood for three days. That’s a little less than 50 percent of the supply they usually have on hand, George said. The hospital always keeps blood in reserve, especially a Level I trauma center like Hershey Medical Center, where some accident victims might require massive transfusions that could seriously erode supplies. Blood product inventory levels fluctuate daily. When supplies get low, hospitals try to conserve. They screen transfusion requests to determine whether they’re appropriate. They delay or cancel some, offer half-doses for stable patients or decrease the volume of blood products given in trauma packs.
In a response to CBS 21 News about the current blood shortage, WellSpan Health Director of Blood Donor Services Dr. Michelle Erickson said:
“The care teams are being prudent with blood supply, but no rationing or denying care related to blood shortages.”
In a statement, UPMC responded:
We do know for now that UPMC has the blood supplies needed to care for our patients. We have a long-running patient blood management program across the health system, including computerized physician order entry systems to guide evidence-based transfusions; promoting alternative blood transfusion methods, and providing blood management education and auditing for clinicians. UPMC encourages community members to donate life-saving blood through their local blood drives.
Blood shortages are a concern for patients who depend on supply, as it means their care can be deferred. It’s what blood banks, like the American Red Cross, are trying to prevent.
“We’re making sure that we’re able to supply all of our hospital partners with the blood that they need to make sure that they don’t have to make those difficult decisions,” American Red Cross Central Pennsylvania Chapter Executive Director Laura Burke told CBS 21 News.
Catherine LaPat knows the concern of blood shortages all too well, which is why she chose to donate in Hershey Thurs. after hearing of the crisis. It's the same place she credits to saving her daughter's life.
“The reason I came today is because the only reason my daughter is alive is because of all the units of blood plasma that she received throughout her treatment,” LaPat said.
Exactly a year ago, LaPat’s then 23-year-old daughter, Ashley, was diagnosed with Leukemia. She later learned it was AML, a rare type of blood cancer.
“She was terrified because she knew what could happen,” LaPat recalled. Ashley went through four rounds of chemotherapy in six months, living off of 70 units of donated blood.
“She needed it to live and she was only 23 years old,” LaPat said. “She was just starting her life.”
As pandemic-related effects on blood drives and staffing impacted blood supply then, LaPat’s family felt the pressure recipients are facing now.
“I remember there were times when they couldn’t even give her the full amount because they didn’t have it, so they had to wait until some came in or just gave her half a bag to tie her over,” she recalled. “And it’s terrifying.”
One year later, Ashley’s in remission. Her family is paying it forward, in hopes of giving the gift of life – and the gift of time – to another family in need.
“If it wasn’t for donors, she may not have been here today,” LaPat said. “She’s not alone.”
Blood banks are asking for volunteers to schedule appointments to donate, ensuring they can get in and out in a timely manner with staffing strains. There’s a need for all blood types, especially O+ and O- because they can be given to almost any patient. Every unit donated can save up to three lives, just like Ashley's. Volunteers have to wait 56 days between donations.
Those looking to donate can visit 717giveblood.org or call 1-800-771-0059 to find a Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank donation center and make an appointment.