Salem-Area Blood Supply Running Low

According to the American Red Cross every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore. ) - In response to the yellow alert issued by the American Red Cross related to red cell inventory, Salem Hospital has begun blood-conservation measures, and is encouraging the community to donate blood after the July 4th holiday.

The hospital has also distributed information to its employees asking them to donate blood.

Salem Hospital is a blood-supply hub for hospitals in the region.

Salem Hospital and the hospitals it supplies will keep their red cell inventory to a 3-1/2 day supply of blood, instead of the normal 5-day supply.

"We are taking these actions to help ensure that people who are very ill or injured have the lifesaving blood supply they need," says Mark Magilner, M.D., interim medical director, Salem Hospital Regional Laboratory. "Salem Hospital will typically take steps to manage the blood supply during American Red Cross alerts. Since this alert is happening around the July 4 holiday we feel it is important to encourage people to donate."

Salem Hospital is employing a number of blood-control measures in order to manage the available supply.

Each time the American Red Cross issues alerts regarding the blood supply, Salem Hospital adopts a series of supply management measures to ensure that patients can receive the blood they need.

"These measures will help ensure a supply of blood and will not adversely impact the care patients receive at the hospital," says Dr. Magilner.

The public is encouraged to call the American Red Cross at (503) 585-5416 to schedule an appointment to donate blood, particularly on the days of July 5th, 6th, 7th, 10th, 11th and 12th.

To encourage donors to make and keep donation appointments during the 4th of July holiday week the American Red Cross Pacific Northwest Blood Services Region is offering a special donor incentive program.

Through Sunday, July 8th, anyone who presents to donate whole blood or platelets at a Red Cross blood drive or donor center will be entered in a drawing to win one of three prizes: a 42" LG Plasma Screen TV, a full-size outdoor gas grill, or a deluxe charcoal BBQ grill.

To give blood for transfusion to another person, you must be healthy, be at least 17 years old or 16 years old if allowed by state law, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not have donated blood in the last 8 weeks (56 days) or a donation of double red cells in the last 16 weeks (111 days).

"Healthy" means that you feel well and can perform normal activities.

If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, "healthy" also means that you are being treated and the condition is under control.