Type O positive, type O negative, and platelets have been fluctuating between critical and emergency levels since early December, Bloodworks Northwest said.
Type O positive, type O negative, and platelets have been fluctuating between critical and emergency levels since early December, Bloodworks Northwest said.
Bloodworks Northwest has declared what it calls a ‘code red’ emergency due to a blood shortage.
A code red is declared after four consecutive days of blood inventory being at emergency levels.
The local nonprofit said it needs tens of thousands of blood donation appointments. Less than half the appointments needed to maintain a safe and reliable blood supply have been booked, the nonprofit said.
“Our community needs to act quickly to stabilize the blood supply and to ensure patients experiencing cancer can receive transfusions, surgeries aren’t delayed, and our trauma centers can respond to emergencies. If you’ve been putting off donating blood, now is the time to make an appointment,” Bloodworks Northwest President and CEO Curt Bailey said in a news release.
The supply has also been impacted by rush shipments of blood to U.S. communities experiencing severe winter storms such as Texas and Tennessee, the nonprofit said.
Type O positive, type O negative, and platelets have been fluctuating between critical and emergency levels since early December, and demand for blood remains high at hospitals throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Universal type O blood is extremely important, especially for trauma and emergency situations where a patient’s blood type is unknown.
About 25,000 appointment slots are open through February.
Same-day donation appointments are available at most sites.
For more information or to book an appointment, go to bloodworksnw.org. Appointments can also be made by calling 800-398-7888.