A review of the impact of increased whole blood collections on the blood system

Abstract

Background and ObjectivesIt is likely that there will be an increased emphasis on production of whole blood as evidence for efficacy in massively transfused patients increases. Depending on the magnitude of the increase, this has the potential to impact many blood collectors’ practices and to influence the whole supply chain.MethodsThe review uses current knowledge of practices and discusses the impacts on blood collectors, suppliers and the implications for blood donation, manufacturing, inventory and distribution.ResultsIncreased whole blood utilisation will influence the production, supply and distribution of blood donation consumables with suppliers further influenced by likely equipment redundancy in the event of a significant increase. New blood components or consumables require regulatory approval and registration, a complex and resource‐consuming area.Wastage would increase directly as a result of the need to have whole blood constantly available at the right location despite stochastic demand. Efficiency and yield would be influenced due to the reduced number of separated blood components and plasma for fractionation volumes. To ameliorate this, whole blood may need to be returned later in shelf life so that plasma can be recovered. A high uptake of whole blood requires a review of the blood donation and manufacturing infrastructure with the possibility of amendments to fixed assets such as blood processing centres.ConclusionThe impacts are across the whole supply chain, and whilst the topics discussed are not directly applicable to any specific blood collector, the general principles will apply to many.