Due to the national blood shortage, our main blood supplier, American Red Cross, is facing difficulties in supplying us with enough packed red blood cell units (all blood types, but especially O Positive and O Negative packed red blood cells) to keep our stock at optimum levels. The blood banks of the Houston Methodist Hospital System will work together to support any transfusion emergencies.
We have implemented prospective review of transfusion requests for O Positive and O Negative packed red blood cells. A pathologist might reach out to you to ascertain the clinical status of the patient prior to releasing blood.
We ask that you request red cell transfusions only when the patient is clinically symptomatic with a low hemoglobin level (less than 7 g/dL). Patients who are actively bleeding and other emergencies will not be denied transfusion. Other cases will be discussed on a case-by-case basis depending on current blood inventory.
You can also help by considering donating blood at the Eileen Murphree McMillin Blood Donor Center at HMH, especially if you are blood type O. You can schedule your donation at http://wb.houstonmethodistbloodcenter.org/ or by contacting Olivia Duffey at 713-394-6711 or ODuffey@houstonmethodist.org
If you have any questions or to discuss any patient issues or needs, please contact the HMH blood bank at 713-441-0386 and ask to speak to the Transfusion Service Medical Director on call or call your local hospital laboratory.