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Planning for innovation in health care: a breakthrough in blood banking
A solution for preserving red blood cells (adenine) will make it possible to extend the life of blood from 21 to 35 days. Adenine supplementation may bring dramatic changes in blood outdating and the supply of blood to hospital blood banks. Substantial improvements, however, can be realized only if blood administrators are able to estimate the potential effects of adenine supplementation and set goals based on these projections. Appropriate action could then be taken to reduce blood collection and increase the supply of blood to hospitals. This paper offers a method for blood administrators to estimate the full effects of adenine supplementation and set reasonably attainable goals. Experiences with setting goals for a mid-western U.S. blood region are then discussed.
A solution for preserving red blood cells (adenine) will make it possible to extend the life of blood from 21 to 35 days. Adenine supplementation may bring dramatic changes in blood outdating and the supply of blood to hospital blood banks. Substantial improvements, however, can be realized only if blood administrators are able to estimate the potential effects of adenine supplementation and set goals based on these projections. Appropriate action could then be taken to reduce blood collection and increase the supply of blood to hospitals. This paper offers a method for blood administrators to estimate the full effects of adenine supplementation and set reasonably attainable goals. Experiences with setting goals for a mid-western U.S. blood region are then discussed.