Connecticut has declared a statewide blood emergency because hospitals are finding it difficult to meet demand due to critically low blood supply levels.
Connecticut Blood Center declared an emergency and made a “urgent call” for both type O- and type O+ blood. The most prevalent blood type is type O+, but type O- is the universal blood type. Connecticut has declared a statewide blood emergency because hospitals are finding it difficult to meet demand due to critically low blood supply levels.
Connecticut Blood Center declared an emergency and made a “urgent call” for both type O- and type O+ blood. The most prevalent blood type is type O+, but type O- is the universal blood type.
“A shortage of both types, both locally and nationally, poses serious concerns for our healthcare system, and the need for donors is critical,” CTBC stated.
According to CTBC, Connecticut’s type O blood supply is currently only enough to last roughly three days, which is less than half of what would be deemed “optimal.” According to CTBC, type O blood supply levels have not been this low since the COVID-19 pandemic’s start more than four years ago.
Two seasonal reasons, according to CTBC, are to blame for the blood scarcity: an increase in severe accidents and a decrease in donations. Some have gone so far as to refer to the weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day as “trauma season” due to the annual increase in traumatic accidents.
According to CTBC, Connecticut’s type O blood supply is currently only enough to last roughly three days, which is less than half of what would be deemed “optimal.” According to CTBC, type O blood supply levels have not been this low since the COVID-19 pandemic’s start more than four years ago.
Two seasonal reasons, according to CTBC, are to blame for the blood scarcity: an increase in severe accidents and a decrease in donations.
Some have gone so far as to refer to the weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day as “trauma season” due to the annual increase in traumatic accidents.
“While the summer months bring warm weather and joyful gatherings of family and friends, each year our hospitals receive an influx of trauma patients that need our help and require blood transfusions for treatment,” Jonathan DeCasanova, an account manager at CTBC stated.
Transfusions of blood are necessary for about 25% of trauma victims, according to CTBC. Furthermore, even while these individuals may not represent all blood recipients—those who regularly require blood transfusions include cancer patients, transplant recipients, surgical patients, and others—the rise in traumatic incidents has the potential to “strain an already limited blood supply.”
According to CTBC, the periodic drop in blood donations brought on by summer vacations and school breaks exacerbates the yearly rise in need.
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“Blood collections fall precipitously in the summer months – the need for urgent transfusion spikes as we hit the highways and enjoy outdoor activities,” Bradford Sherbourne, the medical director of Hartford Hospital Laboratories stated.
Visit ctblood.org to schedule an appointment or view the most recent eligibility limitations if you’re interested in donating.
“Donating blood takes just a few minutes and one donation can save a life,” State Sen. Matt Lesser stated. “Please consider donating blood today to prevent a blood emergency which could negatively impact our community.”
