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Blood conservation strategies at United States hospitals during the COVID ‐19 pandemic: Findings from a multi‐institutional analysis ‐ International Society of Blood Transfusion survey
Author(s) -
Jacobs Jeremy W.,
Karafin Matthew S.,
Allen Elizabeth S.,
Abels Elizabeth,
Park Yara A.,
Stephens Laura D.,
Ward Dawn C.,
Woo Jennifer S.,
Gehrie Eric A.,
Booth Garrett S.,
Adkins Brian D.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/trf.17116
Subject(s) - pandemic , covid-19 , blood transfusion , medicine , virology , emergency medicine , immunology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease , outbreak
Background Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, the transfusion medicine community has experienced unprecedented blood supply shortages since March 2020. As such, numerous changes to everyday practice have occurred with a specific emphasis on blood conservation. We sought to determine the strategies used to mitigate blood shortages and promote blood conservation during the pandemic. Methods An anonymous, 37‐question survey was developed using Research Electronic Data Capture and distributed via e‐mail to transfusion medicine specialists across the US obtained via publicly available databases. Results Amongst surveyed [41.1% response rate (51/124 institutions)], 98.0% experienced a product shortage, with the greatest number reporting red blood cell (RBC) shortages ( 92.0%). This led to 35.3% of institutions altering the composition and/or number of blood product suppliers, including a 100% increase in the number of institutions acquiring blood from organizations that connect hospital transfusion services with blood collection centers (e.g., Blood Buy) compared to before March 2020. Prospective triaging of blood products was the most common blood conservation strategy (68.1%), though 35.4% altered their RBC exchange or transfusion program for patients receiving chronic RBC transfusion/exchange. As a result of these changes, 78.6% of institutions reported that these changes resulted in a reduction in blood product usage, and 38.1% reported a decrease in product wastage. Conclusions Most hospitals experienced the effects of the supply shortage, and many of them implemented blood conserving measures. Conservation strategies were associated with decreased blood utilization and waste, and future studies could evaluate whether these changes persist.