For only the second time in its history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood supply crisis, citing a significant decline in donations and critically low inventories of certain blood types.
Organ/Tissue/Blood Donation
The American Red Cross July 27 declared a national blood supply crisis, as the organization said that blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low.
The (AABB Disaster Task Force, of which the AHA is a member, on July 24 issued a statement that the U.S. blood supply is at significant risk for blood shortages.
The Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism announced July 24 that the U.S. blood supply is at significant risk for shortages due to weeks of decline in blood donations.
Each year in the U.S., more than 4.5 million lives are saved by blood transfusions, and about 1 in 5 people admitted to the hospital will need blood.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Jan. 28 released a proposed rule that would update conditions for coverage for organ procurement organizations.
The Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies, America’s Blood Centers and the American Red Cross today released a joint statement urging blood donations as winter weather could further disrupt supply amid an ongoing shortage.
The American Red Cross Jan. 20 declared a severe blood shortage as the national blood supply fell approximately 35% within the last month.
The Organ Donation and Transplantation Alliance has created new resources for health care providers to encourage more organ donation and transplants.
The AHA yesterday sent a Special Bulletin to members notifying them of concerns by the American Red Cross, America’s Blood Centers and the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies about the nation's low supply of blood levels.