Red Cross Reports Blood Shortage
Posted 6/22/2005 08:02 AM

It has less than a day's supply of the types O-positive and O-negative.

Story by The Associated Press

The American Red Cross has a shortage of blood types most commonly used in surgeries and transfusions.

Spokeswoman Cheryl Gergely said the Greater Alleghenies Region of the Red Cross has less than a one-day supply of blood types O-positive and O-negative, which can be given to people of any blood type. It would prefer to have a five-day supply for the 100 hospitals in the region.

As of Tuesday, the Alleghenies region had only 65 of its target 500 units of O-negative and 269 units of O-positive, significantly less than the desired 18-hundred-and-30.

Only the inventories for types B-positive and B-negative and A-B-negative were not listed as critical on the chapter's Web site. The B types were classified as urgent; the chapter had only 43 percent of its target supply for both positive and negative. It had 79 percent of its target supply of AB-negative. The Greater Alleghenies Region, based in Johnstown, Pa., covers areas in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Red Cross regions can share their blood supplies, but Gergely says inventories nationwide are low.

__________________
Mr. Jan B. Wade
Blood Management Consultant
Enhance Outcomes - Control Cost
For Information Call - 360 296-1807
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