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Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic and How Blood Operators Can Prepare for the Next Pandemic
Steven J Drews1,2, Sheila F O'Brien3,4
1Canadian Blood Services, Microbiology, Donation and Policy Studies, Canadian Blood Services, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R8, Canada.
Insights
Blood operators can prepare for future pandemics by learning from COVID-19. Vigilance, operational continuity, and safety are key to managing emerging viruses and ensuring blood supply integrity.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Blood Transfusion Medicine
Background:
- Emerging infectious diseases pose pandemic risks, as demonstrated by SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV, and COVID-19.
- Previous outbreaks highlight the need for preparedness in healthcare systems, including blood services.
- Global connectivity facilitates rapid virus spread, necessitating proactive pandemic planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline key lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic for blood operators.
- To emphasize the importance of vigilance and preparedness for future pandemic threats.
- To guide blood operators in adapting policies and procedures for novel viral outbreaks.
Main Methods:
- Review of lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Application of "Plan-Do-Study-Act" cycles for pandemic preparedness.
- Emphasis on surveillance, operational continuity, donor engagement, and laboratory testing.
Main Results:
- Past outbreaks like SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV served as warning signals.
- Blood operators must prepare for operational changes and potential new activities.
- Assessing the risk of blood-borne transmission is critical for new pandemic viruses.
Conclusions:
- Proactive planning, including drills and scenario development, is essential for blood operators.
- Maintaining occupational health and donor safety is paramount, regardless of transmission route.
- Blood services play a vital role in public health during pandemics, potentially including therapeutic development and surveillance support.
Abstract:
Humans interact with virus-infected animal hosts, travel globally, and maintain social networks that allow for novel viruses to emerge and develop pandemic potential. There are key lessons-learned from the coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that blood operators can apply to the next pandemic. Warning signals to the COVID-19 pandemic included outbreaks of Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus-1 (SARS-CoV-1) and Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the prior two decades. It will be critical to quickly determine whether there is a risk of blood-borne transmission of a new pandemic virus. Prior to the next pandemic blood operators should be prepared for changes in activities, policies, and procedures at all levels of the organization. Blood operators can utilize "Plan-Do-Study-Act" cycles spanning from: vigilance for emerging viruses, surveillance activities and studies, operational continuity, donor engagement and trust, and laboratory testing if required. Occupational health and donor safety issues will be key areas of focus even if the next pandemic virus is not transfusion transmitted. Blood operators may also be requested to engage in new activities such as the development of therapeutics or supporting public health surveillance activities. Activities such as scenario development, tabletop exercises, and drills will allow blood operators to prepare for the unknowns of the next pandemic.
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