Dwindling blood reserves: An ominous downside of COVID-19 pandemic

Kumar, Sohail; Azim, Dua; Nasim, Sundus; Hashmi, Shariq

doi:10.1016/j.transci.2020.102818

Cited by 18 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Public health policies to address risk have included cancellations of elective surgeries and recommendations that people self‐isolate. While COVID‐19 has not been reported to be transfusion‐transmissible, blood services around the world have been impacted in a variety of ways [2]. Surgery cancellations prompted rapid adjustment to blood collections, and aligning supply of components with demand for those components has been challenging.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research initiatives of blood services worldwide in response to the covid‐19 pandemic

et al. 2020

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Background and Objectives While coronavirus (COVID‐19) is not transfusion‐transmitted, the impact of the global pandemic on blood services worldwide is complex. Convalescent plasma may offer treatment, but efficacy and safety are not established. Measuring seroprevalence in donors would inform public health policy. Here, we survey blood services around the world to assess the different research programmes related to COVID‐19 planned or in progress. Materials and Methods Blood collection services were surveyed in June 2020 to determine whether they were participating in serosurveys or convalescent plasma collection and clinical trials. Results A total of 48 countries (77% of those contacted) responded. Seroprevalence studies are planned or in progress in 73% of countries surveyed and in all continents, including low‐ and middle‐income countries. Most aimed to inform public health policy. Convalescent plasma programmes have been initiated around the globe (79% of surveyed), about three quarters as clinical trials in high‐, middle‐ and low‐income countries. Conclusion Blood services around the world have drawn upon their operational capacity to provide much‐needed seroprevalence data to inform public health. They have rapidly implemented preparation of potential treatment when few treatments are available and mostly as clinical trials. At the same time, they must continue to provide blood products for recipients despite challenges of working in a state of emergency. It is important to track and coordinate research efforts across jurisdictions to gain a composite evidence‐based view that will influence future practice and preparative strategies.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research initiatives of blood services worldwide in response to the covid‐19 pandemic

et al. 2020

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“…13 The Red Cross has implemented new protocols to minimize risk of transmission, such as spacing out appointments and requiring donors to stand 6 feet apart. 13 Despite this, there may still be fear of exposure to the virus and the need to restrict social interactions. 13 The discrepancy between the percentage of students who signed up to donate blood and the percentage reported in our survey also suggests the possibility of overreporting of willingness to donate blood on a survey compared to actual behavior at the time of need.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…13 Despite this, there may still be fear of exposure to the virus and the need to restrict social interactions. 13 The discrepancy between the percentage of students who signed up to donate blood and the percentage reported in our survey also suggests the possibility of overreporting of willingness to donate blood on a survey compared to actual behavior at the time of need. This discrepancy can be further explained through the concept of social desirability bias, which describes the tendency for survey participants to give more socially desirable responses rather than their honest answers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical Student Attitudes Toward Blood Donation in Times of Increased Need

Khatun

Otaibi

Ssentongo

et al. 2021

The American Surgeon

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Background In situations of increased need, such as mass casualty incidents (MCIs) and COVID-19, donated blood products are in shortage across the United States. Medical students are a potential pool for blood donors. The aim of this study was to determine overall attitudes of medical students at a single academic institution toward blood donation during times of increased need. Methods Three anonymous REDCap surveys were administered to all medical students at a rural academic institution. Surveys 1 and 2 were administered preceding and after an institution-wide MCI drill, in September and November 2019, respectively. Survey 3 was administered following a student-organized COVID-19 blood drive in June 2020. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine if factors, ie, experience with MCI drills and emergency medical services (EMS) training, were associated with willingness to donate blood. Furthermore, barriers to donation among those not willing to donate were assessed. Results Overall response rate for MCI surveys (surveys 1 and 2) was 38% (mean age 25.2 years and 50% women). 91% (n = 210) of respondents were willing to donate blood. Previous participation in MCI drills and EMS training was not associated with higher willingness to donate blood. Response rate for survey 3 was 15.6% (59.4% women), and 30 (31.3%) respondents indicated they did not volunteer to donate blood during the COVID-19 drive. Most common reasons for not donating were “other,” medical concerns, and being out-of-town. Conclusions Majority of medical students are willing to donate blood during times of increased need and offer a possible solution to increase blood donor pool.

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“…The severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic of 2002‐2004 was associated with significant reductions in blood donation, with some centers requiring import of blood products from other regions to sustain clinical capacity unless there were comparable reductions in demand for products 2–4 . Similarly, significant disruptions in social and institutional functions resulting from global spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 may potentially threaten blood supplies worldwide 5 . Multiple jurisdictions have reported decreasing donations leading to decreased blood supply, offset in some settings by declining demand for transfusion in the short term 6–10 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[2][3][4] Similarly, significant disruptions in social and institutional functions resulting from global spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 may potentially threaten blood supplies worldwide. 5 Multiple jurisdictions have reported decreasing donations leading to decreased blood supply, offset in some settings by declining demand for transfusion in the short term. [6][7][8][9][10] Contingency planning for supply shortages in a national blood supply system requires a nationally and locally coordinated approach.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptations of transfusion systems to the COVID‐19 pandemic in British Columbia, Canada: Early experiences of a large tertiary care center and survey of provincial activities

et al. 2021

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Background In March 2020, a state of emergency was declared to facilitate organized responses to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic in British Columbia, Canada. Emergency blood management committees (EBMCs) were formed regionally and provincially to coordinate transfusion service activities and responses to possible national blood shortages. Study Design and Methods We describe the responses of transfusion services to COVID‐19 in regional health authorities in British Columbia through a collaborative survey, contingency planning meeting minutes, and policy documents, including early trends observed in blood product usage. Results Early strategic response policies were developed locally in collaboration with members of the provincial EBMC and focused on three key areas: utilization management strategies, stakeholder engagement (collaboration with frequent users of the transfusion service, advance notification of potential inventory shortage plans, and development of blood triage guidance documents), and laboratory staffing and infection control procedures. Reductions in transfusion volumes were observed beginning in mid‐March 2020 for red blood cells and platelets relative to the prepandemic baseline (27% and 26% from the preceding year, respectively). There was a slow gradual return toward baseline beginning one month later; no product shortage issues were experienced. Conclusion Provincial collaborative efforts facilitated the development of initiatives focused on minimizing potential COVID‐19–related disruptions in transfusion services in British Columbia. While there have been no supply issues to date, the framework developed early in the pandemic should facilitate timely responses to possible disruptions in future waves of infection.

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Dwindling blood reserves: An ominous downside of COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 18 publications

References 3 publications

Research initiatives of blood services worldwide in response to the covid‐19 pandemic

Research initiatives of blood services worldwide in response to the covid‐19 pandemic

Medical Student Attitudes Toward Blood Donation in Times of Increased Need

Adaptations of transfusion systems to the COVID‐19 pandemic in British Columbia, Canada: Early experiences of a large tertiary care center and survey of provincial activities

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