Demand for Type O positive blood has hit the local inventory hard, Bloodworks Northwest notes, resulting in an emergency, one-day supply of the most common blood type
There is a call for blood donors to book appointments this month as some blood supplies are at low levels and transfusions are above normal, indicating high patient need.
There also is a concern that some donors, who just received vaccinations, are reluctant to give.
Bloodworks Northwest sent out a press release saying there is “no reason to delay donating after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.”
Demand for Type O positive blood has hit the local inventory hard, Bloodworks Northwest notes, resulting in an emergency, one-day supply of the most common blood type. Type O negative blood is considered the universal blood type that can be transfused to any patient. When there is a shortage of Type O positive, it creates a ripple effect that depletes the supply of Type O negative.
Blood donation is “a safe and essential action during the pandemic,” the release notes.
However, there are protocols involved. Appointments and masks are required. In accordance to guidelines, no walk-ins, guests, or people under 16 are permitted onsite and donation centers.
Donations with Bloodworks provide 95 percent of the blood supply to Pacific Northwest hospitals. A donor also can learn where his or her blood is sent.
“It takes about an hour to give blood from check-in to post-donation cookie,” the release said.
In Clark County, Bloodworks has a donation center at 9320 NE Vancouver Mall Blvd., Suite 100. The phone number is: (360) 567-4800. Information about who can donate and where is available at www.bloodworksnw.org.
