The AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies) recently launched the Alliance for a Strong Blood Supply to help ensure sufficient blood is available for all patients during the pandemic and beyond.
In explaining the rationale behind the new organization, Debra BenAvram, CEO of AABB, said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated chronic challenges that have impacted the nation’s blood for some time.”
The initial 17 organizations involved in the alliance represent hospitals, blood banks, as well as more than 200,000 physicians who provide blood to patients in need.
AABB said that many blood banks are operating with less than a one-day supply on hand, which is below the goal of at least a three-day supply. “As a result, hospitals have been forced to delay life-saving blood transfusions and postpone nonessential surgeries. Without immediate action to strengthen the blood supply, the effect on patient care could be disastrous,” the AABB said.
The alliance plans to launch advocacy and communications campaigns to discuss “the importance of blood donation, the value of blood transfusions and why a robust blood supply is critical to patient care,” the AABB said. The organization’s members also plan to share best practices on stewardship of the blood supply.
In addition to AABB, the initial members of the Alliance are: the Alliance for Community Transfusion Services, America’s Blood Centers, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Surgeons, ADRP, American Hospital Association, American Red Cross, American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, American Society of Anesthesiologists, American Society of Clinical Pathologists, American Society of Hematology, Association of American Medical Colleges, Blood Centers of America, College of American Pathologists, Federation of American Hospitals, and Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management.
