The American Hospital Association said June 29 it is launching a campaign to combat critical shortages of blood supplies at hospitals across the country and to create a steady supply of long-term blood donations.
The American Association of Blood Banks has warned that the nation's blood supply has dropped into the "red," meaning most blood bank inventories have less than one day of supply on hand. A rapid increase in the need for trauma care across the country has contributed to a significant increase in the demand for blood, and the current national shortage could extend for months, the association said.
In response, the association is collaborating with blood bank organizations and other healthcare leaders to encourage blood donations thoughtfully and strategically, so as not to overwhelm donation and storage centers. The association said it wants to encourage vaccinations steadily over time to create a long-term solution to shortages.
The association also said that increased collaboration and communication between hospitals and their blood providers will be vital in preventing additional blood demand and supply issues, and it shared resources to help hospitals conserve and manage their current blood supply levels.
Read the full news release here.