COVID-19 Pandemic and its Impact on Blood Transfusion Services at A Tertiary Care Hospital Blood Bank in Northern India

ABSTRACT

Introduction: COVID-19 was a public health emergency and declared it as a pandemic by WHO. During this pandemic every branch of health care delivery system was negatively affected including Blood Transfusion Services (BTS). The main objective of this study is to compare the blood donations, issued and wasted units of blood and their components during pre-COVID and COVID period. Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective cross-sectional study and data of all voluntary and replacement donations, issue and wastage of blood and blood components were collected from 1st April 2019 to 31st March 2021. This duration was divided into pre COVID period from April 2019 to March 2020 and COVID period from April 2020 to March 2021 for this study purpose. Results: During the study period total 2818 blood donation were observed. Out of this 1818 donations were in pre COVID and 1000 donation occurred in COVID period. The mean with SD of collected blood units per month in pre COVID was 151.5±73.46, while during COVID 19 it was 83.33±36.79 (p value 0.0088). A total 4036 units of blood and blood products were issued during study period. In pre COVID period 2592 units (mean/month 216±108.46) were issued, and 1444 units (mean/month 120.33±57.97) were issued during COVID period (p value 0.0132). Conclusion: To maintain stable reserve and ensure availability of safe blood to the patients an emergency preparedness plan is necessary and blood banks must follow the guidelines given by national and international authorities.