Impact of the early coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on blood utilization in the United States: A time‐series analysis of data reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network Hemovigilance Module

Abstract

Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has disrupted healthcare services worldwide. However, little has been reported regarding the impact on blood utilization. We quantified the impact of COVID‐19 on blood utilization and discards among facilities reporting to the National Healthcare Safety Network Hemovigilance Module. Methods Facilities continuously reporting data, during January 2016–June 2020, on transfused and discarded blood components, stratified by component type (red blood cells [RBC], platelets and plasma), were included. Interrupted time‐series analysis with generalized estimating equations, adjusting for facility surgical volume and seasonality, was used to quantify changes in blood utilization and discards relative to a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services notification delaying non‐essential medical procedures (March 2020). Results Seventy‐two facilities included in the analyses, on average, transfused 44,548 and discarded 2202 blood components monthly. Following the March 2020 notification and after multivariable adjustment, RBC and platelet utilization declined, −14.8% (p < 0.001) and − 16.6% (p = 0.017) respectively. Discards increased for RBCs (49.0%, p = 0.013) and platelets (60.4%, p = 0.002). No statistically significant change in plasma was found. Following these abrupt changes, blood utilization and discards rebounded towards baseline with RBC use increasing by 5.7% (p < 0.001), and platelet and RBC discards decreasing −16.4% (<0.001) and − 12.7 (p = 0.001), respectively. Conclusion Following notification delaying elective surgical procedures, blood utilization declined substantially while blood discards increased, resulting in substantial wastage of blood products. Ongoing and future pandemic response efforts should consider the impact of interventions on blood supply and demand to ensure blood availability. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

An investigation of the early and late period effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on blood use and destruction rates: An example of a tertiary hospital, Antalya, Türkiye

“…These results are consistent with a study conducted in the USA. In that study, it was reported that blood use decreased in the initial period of the pandemic, and it was associated with the call for the postponement of elective surgeries at the national level (14). Similarly, our results seem to be related to the reduction of blood donations and the planning of treatment and/or elective surgeries in the first period.…”

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“…Blood transfusion services faced unique challenges owing to the strict lockdown and curfews imposed to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection ever since the first case was reported in early 2020 in India. Apart from inventory shortages, blood centres witnessed huge challenges in recruitment of blood donors, conducting outdoor blood collection drives, blood utilization, management of chronically transfused patients, staff, and supplies [2] , [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] , [8] . Cancellation of mobile blood connection drives as a measure to avoid gatherings and prevent the spread of infection added to the woes of blood centres [2] .…”

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“…2 presents a closer look at daily apheresis collections from March 1 to June 30, 2020. Plasma and RBC collections were suspended for a two-week period (end of March to mid-April 2020) due to canceled elective surgeries resulting in an industry surplus [2] , [3] . The blood center’s goal during this period was to maintain donor engagement, especially for frequent apheresis platelets donors.…”

“…Blood collection and blood usage were significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] . Blood product demand became unpredictable, especially in the first months following the March 2020 lock down [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] .…”

“…Blood collection and blood usage were significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] . Blood product demand became unpredictable, especially in the first months following the March 2020 lock down [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] . In the early months of the pandemic, blood drives were canceled, donors stopped presenting, and hospitals reduced elective surgeries [3] .…”