Successful Collaboration of a Hospital Based Blood Center and Blood Bank during the Pandemic and Blood Shortage

ABSTRACT

Introduction/Objective: At the beginning of the SARSCo- V2 pandemic, many hospitals implemented mitigating strategies to preserve their blood supply in anticipation of a blood shortage. Our health system, Inova (IHS), which includes 5 hospitals supported by our hospital based blood services, was no different. During the pandemic we experienced a decline in donations and available blood products. In anticipation of this shortage, our institution mobilized the Patient Blood Management (PBM) initiative. A multidisciplinary review of transfusion criteria was performed across the system. This included enforcing single unit red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, partial RBC exchanges for sickle-cell disease, and reduction in plasma replacement volume during plasma exchanges for patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). By implementing these strategies, patient outcomes were not impacted despite the constraints to our blood supply. Methods/Case Report IHS Executive leaders were identified to participate along with key stakeholders in the PBM committee meetings to ensure proper blood utilization for our patients. Clinical guidelines were updated within the physician order sets. Data was compiled with a focus on hemoglobin metrics along with the percentage of single unit transfusions. Collaborating with IHS Apheresis Services and our providers, we developed a strategy to reduce the number of blood products transfused. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) Although there was decline in donor blood collections during the pandemic due to significant concerns of SARS-CO-V2 exposure, the implementation of Patient Blood Management strategies at our institution proved to be beneficial for product management and resource allocation. Although there was a decline in the number of donations (6.5%) we were able to transfuse more patients. Conclusion(s) The SARS-Co-V2 pandemic significantly reduced the blood inventory nationwide. By implementing a robust Patient Blood Management program, we were able to successfully utilize our blood inventory while maintaining transfusion practices that aligned with standards of care. The collaborative efforts between our hospital based blood center and the blood bank led to the optimal use of a reduced blood supply during the pandemic. Incorporating Patient Blood Management principles and safe implementation of novel treatment plans for certain apheresis patient population during the pandemic enabled our system to have more available blood products and care for more patients with improved patient outcomes.