‘Makes me nervous’: Blood crisis causes anxiety at Tri-City hospitals. Donate if you can

The Omicron variant is surging, Gov. Jay Inslee has put a pause on non-urgent medical procedures, and he’s deployed the Washington State National Guard to assist burned-out health care workers.

Adding to this grim situation is the nation’s diminished blood supply, which is the lowest it’s been in over a decade.

The blood supply in the Tri-Cities and elsewhere is dangerously low, and lab workers at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland say the situation is the worst they’ve seen.

However, this crisis could be stopped if people would take the time and effort to become a blood donor.

The Tri-City supply is so depleted that Dr. Brian Staley, the medical lab director at Kadlec’s blood bank, said just the thought of having two or three medical emergencies requiring blood transfusions at the same time is making him nervous.

His isn’t talking about only car crashes and other accidental tragedies, either.

Sometimes new mothers need blood transfusions after giving birth. Sometimes oncology patients need blood. Patients with a variety of health issues can be in need of blood.

And right now the demand is outpacing the nation’s supply at a terrible rate.

Michele Roth, executive director for the American Red Cross based in Kennewick, said there was a blood shortage for months, but that this winter the national supply dipped so low that it’s now being called a blood crisis.

She said the local organization has had to distribute about 25% less blood than individual hospitals are asking for.

On a national scale, there are some places that have less than a one-day supply of certain blood types and doctors are making tough choices about who gets a transfusion right away and who has to wait.

Tri-Citians and other WA state residents need to step up and donate blood and turn this dire situation around.

Roth said blood donations took a hit during the pandemic when blood drives were put on hold — especially when public Tri-City high schools were closed. Staff shortages at the Red Cross also contributed to the current crisis.

Fortunately, Roth said the local Red Cross team should be stabilized soon — probably in February.

And blood drives in the Tri-Cities are finally starting to pick up again. The best way to donate blood and platelets is to make an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

It is important to keep trying if you don’t find an available appointment right away. Roth said the need is constant and donors should check regularly to find an open slot.

The Richland Blood Donation Center on Wellsian Way is a good place to check out, and it can also be found on the Red Cross appointment site.

In addition to getting more donors, it would be helpful if more community organizations decided to hold blood drives in the coming year. Roth said those wishing to organize such an event should call 509-378-6496 or email Roth at michele.roth@redcross.org.

The process of donating blood, from check-in to check-out, is about an hour. For those people who don’t want to, or who can’t donate blood, Roth said the Red Cross is also in need of volunteers who can help at the blood drives.

The pandemic has been wearing enough. The concern over the nation’s dangerously low blood supply is another burden exhausted health care workers shouldn’t have to be dealing with.

It is time for Tri-Citians to rally and help boost our nation’s blood supply. After all, this is one health care crisis we actually have some control over.

This story was originally published January 16, 2022 at 4:00 AM.