Declining blood collection and utilization in the United States

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Hematology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey (NBCUS) has been conducted biennially by the Department of Health and Human Services since 1997.
• Data from the NBCUS are crucial for estimating national blood collection and utilization trends.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the number of blood and blood components collected and transfused in the United States in 2013.
• To provide 95% confidence intervals for these estimates.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey of US blood collection centers and hospitals was conducted in 2013.
• The survey included facilities performing at least 100 inpatient surgical procedures annually.

Main Results:

• In 2013, 14.2 million whole blood and red blood cell (RBC) units were collected, with 13.2 million transfused, a 4.4% decrease from 2011.
• Outdated RBC units decreased by 17.3%. Platelet (PLT) and plasma distributions declined, though total PLT transfusions increased.
• Apheresis and whole blood-derived PLT distribution saw declines, while total PLT transfusions rose compared to 2011.

Conclusions:

• Blood collection and utilization have both declined, leading to a narrowing gap between supply and demand.
• Decreasing surplus inventory may pose challenges for disaster preparedness and meeting unexpected needs.
• Efficient product management by hospitals contributes to the declining surplus.