Blood shortage plagues region

Hospitals nationwide are on the verge of a blood shortage that one local official says could be "a catastrophe."

"Our situation now has been a sustained shortage this entire summer," said Jeff Weathers, director of hospital services for Red Cross. "Nobody has died yet, but we're very close to a catastrophe happening."

Donor blood is in huge demand on a national level. Since the beginning of July, the blood supply has been extremely low in southeast Michigan. Type O is the blood type in highest demand. Carried by 40 percent of the population, Type O can be safely infused to nearly all patients in jeopardy.

Weathers said when he counted blood levels Monday morning, there were only four units of Type O; he usually sends out 260 units each day to 57 hospitals around the region.

Each unit of donated blood is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets. Patients usually need only one of the three blood components.

"Your blood can save three lives," Weathers said. "You have a great opportunity to help mankind."

Officials said that while the number of blood donors has remained constant in recent months, an unusually high demand for transfusions has left area blood banks scrambling to replenish draining stores.

"We've had to be concerned about being able to do large procedures like liver transplants," said Suzanne Butch, a technologist at the University's blood bank.

There is usually a three-day stock of blood available at hospitals. At University Hospitals, however, current supplies usually last for less than one day.

University Hospitals have not been forced to lower the quality of care given to patients, said Harold Oberman, the hospitals' director of blood transfusion. However, the shortage of blood makes transfusions available only to those in dire need.

Oberman said the reasons behind the small numbers of blood donors are obvious. People think about the inconvenience and "if they don't have to do it, they don't," he said.

"Not enough people are donating blood. People can't respond solely to cries of urgency ... it has got to be a regular giving program," Oberman said.

In November, University students will have the opportunity to give blood during the annual blood battle against OSU.

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