Blood collection centers in the United States have been providing a safe, reliable, and stable source of blood to hospitals for nearly a century. Unlike most countries, in the U.S., independent, non-profit suppliers compete with each other to supply hospitals and medical centers with blood, essentially treating it like a commodity in a free market. Since 2008, there has been about a 25% decrease in blood units collected, distributed and transfused; while at the same time, the cost of collection and preparation of blood continues to increase due to more selective donor criteria, leukocyte reduction, and increased testing for infectious agents including bacteria and/or emerging infections (e.g., Zika). The median price blood centers are reimbursed for a unit of RBCs, however, has decreased since 2013; and some estimate that 90% of RBC units are sold below cost. If large blood collection agencies are not financially sound, the effects could reverberate throughout the health care system threatening a safe blood supply for patients and national emergencies. The U.S. may need to rethink the method for financing the national blood supply.
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It would have been helpful had the article revealed how other countries manage their blood supply. Without anything to compare the U.S. method of supplying blood and component products to patients, the article is of little value, other than to imply more money is needed. Sounds like government speak. /s/ wp MT, MLT (ASCP).
I’ve been an MT working Blood Bank/ Transfusion Services for over twenty years. Many of those years were with a staffing agency that dealt with Transfusion Services exclusively. My experience is that Blood Utilization is a nation wide problem. Transfusions are inappropriately ordered for the diagnosis, there are duplicate orders, a resident fails to see what was already ordered by the attending physician, and nurses are given license to be confrontational when orders are questioned by the Blood Bank. Every donor should be able to believe that they are saving lives. The reality is that significant units are wasted by poor administration. Unfortunately, too many times, harm is done to patients by inappropriately administering packed cells and blood components. We never have been adequately compensated by MediCare and insurance companies, unnecessary wastage adds to the problem
Maybe your solution is to copy our European model!
Big regional public centers!
Best and safest donation comes from healthy, altruistic, voluntary and non-profit donors
Plus transfusion medical education into an optimal use (right unit, right patient, right moment, right conditions, and protecting donors and patients rights) plus choosing wisely recommendations.