Bloodworks NW Confronts Confusion over Donation Eligibility

Seattle WA

15 April, 2021

9:58 PM

Description

(April 15, 2021 –Seattle, WA) With confusion over post COVID-19 vaccination donation eligibilitylingering, combined with a string of unseasonably warm spring weather days (when donors tend to skip more appointments), record high blood usage at hospitals across the Pacific Northwest, and a national blood shortage, our community blood supply is facing a "perfect storm," an unforeseen combination of events that's having a significant impact on the local blood supply. Infact, Bloodworks officials are calling it the biggest blood shortage since the pandemic began a year ago. With transfusions at 118%, indicating continuing high patient need (as more surgeries are nowbeing scheduled) and blood supplies hovering at a 24-hour supply, Bloodworks Northwest is making an urgent call for blood donors to book appointments now. Adding to this pressure is lingering concern that some donors may still be confused about whether they can donate blood after receiving their COVID-19 vaccination, leading them to delay donations unnecessarily. The number of donors showing up for scheduled appointments has been steadily dropping since February. In that month, the show rate was 80%, in March, it dropped to 77% and so far in April, it's at 73%. Assistance from blood centers across the country is limited or uncertain as a national shortage has impacted the ability of other blood centers to respond. With so few units of blood on the shelves, our community is one major accident away from crisis. Bloodworks Northwest President & CEO Curt Bailey says, "This is an alarming situation and the community must act immediately by making appointments to donate blood and keeping those appointments to ensure the supply is available to meet this unprecedented need. It's unheard of that a confluence of events like what our community is facing happens, but as a frequent donor or a new donor you're directly helping people facing cancer, trauma, and surgeries weather this storm." For the care and safety of our community, Bloodworks Northwest is reminding the public that donating blood is a critical activity and there is no reason to delay donating after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Bloodworks officials are also concerned about the number of appointment cancellations due to this confusion. Bloodworks says from the beginning of the month, more than 1,600 donors canceled or had to reschedule their appointment. Bloodworks Northwest urges community members of all blood types to rush to bookappointments at Donor Centers and Pop-Up Blood Drives in April. Stats: Patient usage is a record high 18% above normal, resulting in 500 additional units distributed in the past 7 days. Type's O positive and A positive are especially in demand. Our community's blood supply is currently 1,700 units below operational levels;meaning only an emergency 24 hour supply of all blood types is available tohospitals. · Type O is short 900 units, and Type A positive is short 600 units leaving emptyshelves. · It normally takes 1,000 donors every day to maintain an operational blood supplyin Western Washington and Oregon allowing our community to respond to routineneeds for blood and emergencies. About Donating Blood: · There is no deferral waiting period to donate if you receive the Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen, Novovax or AstraZeneca COVID vaccine. · Donating blood is a safe and essential action during the pandemic. Appointments and masks are required. In accordance with current social distancing guidelines, no walk-ins, guests, or people under age 16 are permitted onsite. Bloodworks has posted information addressing questions andconcerns for blood donors at bloodworksnw.org/coronavirus. Most people in good health, at least 18 years old, and who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate whole blood every 56 days. Check out our detailed eligibility Q&A or call us at 800-398-7888. · Donations with Bloodworks provide 95% of the lifesaving blood supply to Pacific Northwesthospitals. It takes about an hour to give blood from check-in to post-donation cookie. Information about who can donate and where, is available atwww.bloodworksnw.org. Additional Resources: For the latest information on COVID-19 please visit the CDC website, Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 main page, and Oregon Health Authority. Bloodworks Donor Centers and Pop-Up Centers: Appointments and information at BloodworksNW.org or800-398-7888. See our list of Donor Centers and Pop-Up locations.