New York blood centers report statewide emergency with less than two days of supply
Blood centers across New York declared a statewide blood emergency on June 12 after the available blood supply fell below two days overall, prompting the state Health Department to ask residents to donate.
In some areas, the supply of type O blood was below one day, according to the New York State Department of Health. The department said all blood types were needed, with particular concern for A-negative, B-negative, O-positive and O-negative supplies.
Hospitals were still able to meet patient needs when the warning was issued. But the department said continued shortages could delay or postpone scheduled and elective surgeries. That was a conditional warning, not a report that procedures had already been postponed.
What the emergency means
The statewide declaration reflects a reduced supply reported by blood centers across New York. The June 12 notice did not say that every hospital had the same amount of blood on hand, and it did not provide hospital-by-hospital inventory figures.
The supply is needed for more than scheduled operations. The department identified emergency trauma care, surgery, cancer care, burn treatment, newborn care and treatment for sickle-cell disease among the medical uses for donated blood.
A person seriously injured in a car accident may require as many as 100 units of blood, the department said. That figure illustrates why maintaining available supply can be important when patients need urgent or intensive care.
The warning came during a period the state associated with increased summer travel, injuries and large gatherings. The department said a prolonged shortage could affect the availability of blood for patients and could create pressure on scheduled and elective care if supplies did not recover.
Type O supply below one day in some areas
The department’s report of less than one day of type O supply in some parts of the state was more severe than its statewide estimate of less than two days of blood overall. The notice did not specify which areas had that level of type O availability.
New Yorkers with any blood type were asked to donate. While the state highlighted A-negative, B-negative, O-positive and O-negative as types of particular concern, its request was not limited to those groups.
One blood donation can help multiple patients, the department said. Under updated Food and Drug Administration guidance cited by the department, eligible donors may give blood every 56 days.
How to donate
The Health Department directed people seeking donation locations to the American Red Cross, New York Blood Center and ConnectLife. Those organizations were identified by the state as options for prospective donors responding to the emergency appeal.
The state’s immediate request was for people who are able to donate to do so, rather than for patients to take a particular action. At the time of the June 12 announcement, the department said hospitals could still meet patient needs.
The approved information does not include a later statewide inventory count or a subsequent declaration ending or extending the emergency. As a result, the June 12 figures describe the supply situation reported on that date and do not establish whether the emergency remained active later.
Sources
- New York State Department of Health Calls on New Yorkers to Donate Blood Amid Statewide Blood Emergency, New York State Department of Health
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