Lab Medicine Rounds Addressing the national blood shortage: Why blood inventory is so important
Aug 6, 2021
Justin Juskiewicz, an Assistant Professor at Mayo Clinic and expert in transfusion medicine, sheds light on the critical importance of maintaining blood inventory in hospitals. He discusses innovative strategies to engage donors and improve blood management during a national shortage, including the 'Bring a Buddy' program. Juskiewicz emphasizes the role of healthcare professionals in promoting blood donation and explores the impact of effective management practices like pre-operative anemia clinics on patient care. His insights reveal how collaborative efforts can bridge gaps in blood supply.
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Critical Role of Blood Inventory
- Blood inventory is critical as transfusions support trauma, cancer, and transplantation care.
- Blood supply depends on donor kindness from previous days, making inventory management vital.
Inventory Enables Advanced Care
- Adequate blood inventory enables advanced surgical and chemotherapy treatments.
- Blood acts as a facilitator, pushing clinical care boundaries.
COVID Impact on Blood Supply
- COVID-19 severely disrupted traditional blood donation methods by dispersing donors.
- New engagement approaches and marketing innovations were essential to meet donors where they are.