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*** LAB NEWS ***
The following message
is from Dennis Galanakis, MD, Chief of Transfusion Services and
Secretary of the Blood Utilization Committee. It is directed mainly
to those physicians involved in surgical procedures that may require
transfusion.
There is a disconcerting increase in the frequency of periodic blood
shortages. We experience a tight blood supply around holidays and
summer but such shortages are now more frequent and more prolonged.
The reasons for this relate to a diminishing rate of blood donations
nation wide and to decreased availability of blood from European
countries. Moreover, the new donor exclusion criteria mandated by
FDA to take effect shortly are expected to decrease the blood donor
base further by at least 3%. To date we have not had a procedure
cancelled because of blood shortage for well over ten years, but
this possibility is ever increasing.
The Blood Utilization Committee recommends that for non-urgent surgical
procedures or transfusions you consider with your patient the possibility
of autologous pre-deposit and/or of directed blood donations. While
we provide all necessary details on request, essential aspects or
each are mentioned below for your information:
1. Directed blood donation: For this, the patient blood
type must be ordered or on record. A patient contacts the blood
bank, signs the necessary registration and we instruct as to how
to schedule donors. Unused units or those not serologically compatible
with the patient are placed in the general pool by written agreement.
All donations must be completed seven days before surgery, to allow
adequate turn around time for mandatory testing.
2. Autologous blood pre-deposit. The last donation should
take place seven days or longer before surgery, to allow for some
recovery of the hemoglobin level. The patient is placed on iron
medication once this decision is made, and a prescription specifying
the number of units, date of procedure, name, MR #, DOB, SS#, and
ICD9 code is required. We evaluate the medical status including
Hct to ascertain suitability. In general, coronary artery disease,
aortic valve disease, arrhythmia, hypertension, and active infection
may disqualify the patient. We counsel and attempt to reassure the
patient accordingly in the event of disqualification.
For information, please instruct the patient to call the donor room
at (631) 444-2634 or -2630 during working hours: 8AM to 6 PM Mondays,Wednesdays,
Fridays; 8AM to 7:30 PM Tuesdays and Thursdays; 9AM-12 noon Saturdays
and Sundays.
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