AHA, AMA, ANA Joint Statement on Blood Shortages

A version of this statement in Spanish can be found HERE. 

The following statement is attributable to:

American Hospital Association
American Medical Association
American Nurses Association

As health care providers, we are critically aware of the importance of having a steady and robust supply of blood and blood products to save the lives of our patients. But the COVID-19 pandemic poses ongoing challenges to organizations that have bolstered our blood supply for many years – such as businesses, houses of worship and universities – by hosting large blood drives. Over the past year, as we have caught up on delayed surgeries, treated many trauma patients, and cared for others who need transfusions, the need for blood has increased while staffing shortages and high rates of COVID-19 in communities have diminished donations. 

We face a blood supply crisis the American Red Cross calls its worst blood shortage in over a decade. 

The severity and duration of this shortage could significantly jeopardize the ability of health care providers to meet the many urgent needs of our patients and communities. 

We urge everyone who can to give blood. Donating blood is safe and easy to do. As we add our voices to others asking people to donate, we hope that many available appointment slots will fill. However, we urge potential donors not to be discouraged if they are unable to get an appointment immediately, as this does not mean their donation is not needed.

There will always be a need for blood in health care, and meeting that need will require consistent donations over time to ensure that our blood supply is restored to an acceptable level moving forward. By donating regularly over time, we are confident we will be able to meet the needs of you, your friends and family members, and others in your community when disease or injury threatens life.   
 

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About the American Hospital Association
The American Hospital Association (AHA) is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA advocates on behalf of our nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, our clinician partners – including more than 270,000 affiliated physicians, 2 million nurses and other caregivers – and the 43,000 health care leaders who belong to our professional membership groups. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides insight and education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at www.aha.org. 

About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Associationhttps://www.ama-assn.org/ is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.

About the American Nurses Association
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation's 4.3 million registered nurses. ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all. For high-resolution images of the ANA logo or photos of ANA leadership, please click here.