Prepared for Anything: The Importance of a Safe and Available Blood Supply during Disasters and other Critical Events

摘要

Over the past year, many Americans witnessed firsthand the importance of having a safe, available blood supply following a disaster. During the first nine months of 2017, the United States experienced 15 disasters that claimed 323 lives; these disasters were the result of weather and climate.1 Floods, freezing temperatures, severe storms, tropical cyclones, and wildfires can all impact blood availability. In the event of a natural disaster, issues may arise in which blood donors do not donate, donor centers may become damaged, or donor centers may not have staffing to perform the processing and testing of blood; all of which, result in a disruption of the local blood supply.