Potential challenges faced by blood bank services during COVID-19 pandemic and their mitigative measures: The Indian scenario

Abstract

The current pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus is going to be a prolonged melee. Identifying crucial areas, proactive planning, coordinated strategies and their timely implication is essential for smooth functioning of any system during a crunch. Addressing the impact of COVID-19 on transfusion services, there are 4 potential challenges viz. blood/ component shortage, donor/ staff safety, consumable supply/ logistics and catering to the convalescent plasma need. In this review article, we will be discussing about these potential challenges in detail along with the necessary mitigative steps to be adopted to tide over the COVID-19 crisis in an Indian set up.

Impact of COVID 19 pandemic on blood transfusion services at a rural based district Hospital Blood-Bank, India

“…, which is consistent with various studies conducted worldwide. [4][5][6]9 Also the walk-in donors do not have an easy access to the blood bank due to mobility constraints and strict measures put in place to prevent the spread of SARS COV-2 virus. [10][11][12] The voluntary blood donation camps and mobile blood drives have also drastically reduced post COVID 19 outbreak (Tables 3 and 4), which could be due to cancellation of pre-planned blood donation camps because of closure of educational institutions, employment campuses and voluntary organizations, which is similar to observations made by other blood bank associated health institutions.…”

“…In fact WHO (World Health Organization) and NBTC (National Blood Transfusion Council) has laid down the protocols for blood bank to ensure safety blood transfusion services. 5 Other proactive measures like tie ups with NGO'S, military/paramilitary services, religious/cultural associations have to be initiated to mobilize large number of donors in short time, especially in rural areas where usage of electronic media is of limited use. Educating people and creating awareness about the availability of safe and accessible options of blood donations through appointment system and encouraging mobile blood drives for home donations are to be planned along with Government authorities.…”

“…3,4 Blood bank services like total number of blood donors, voluntary blood donation camps and blood stocks have drastically reduced due to pan-lockdown effect and cessation of blood donation camps for fear of acquiring infection. 5 Not only blood there is acute shortage of blood supply but inventory maintenance of testing reagents and consumables where as discard rate https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijpo.2021.010 2394-6784/© 2021 Innovative Publication, All rights reserved.…”

Blood supply management during the Covid-19 pandemic: Experience in a tertiary referral hospital in Malaysia

“…Upon closure of educational and employment venues, the number of blood donation drives had also decreased markedly. Cancellation of mobile drive have led to more than 30 percent drop in the blood inventories as reported in India and the United States, which are among the most populous countries in the world [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Sangue como recurso terapêutico essencial aos sistemas de saúde e a pandemia pela COVID-19

“…(BARON et al, 2020) Além disso, os desafios gerenciais, de suprimento e de logística devem ser considerados, inclusive o atendimento às necessidades de plasma convalescente. (ARCOT et al, 2020) No conjunto das estratégias recomendadas para frear a escassez dos produtos sanguíneos, destaca-se a implementação imediata do PBM, assim como a aprovação de planos regionais e nacionais de escassez em todo o mundo. Portanto, destaca-se o papel essencial da conservação adequada de recursos e "controle do sangue do paciente na gestão das pandemias", de modo a convocar médicos e prescritores a implementar os princípios práticos do PBM e suas "abordagens multiprofissional e multimodalidade".…”