Management of the process of blood and blood components supply in a pandemic situation in the Northeast region

Abstract

The main challenge facing the team of the Regional Center for Transfusion Hematology Varna (RCTH Varna) during the pandemic COVID-19 stems from the need to quickly adapt the processes of blood donation and supply of blood and blood components to hospitals. Most similar to the current COVID-19 pandemic is the SARS-CoV epidemic in 2003, for which the WHO noted that no cases of SARS-CoV infection due to transfusion of blood and blood components, the risk of transfusion transmission of this new virus, although theoretical, cannot be ignored at this stage. The most significant impact that the pandemic has had on blood donation is the reduction of donors, the reduction of the demand for blood and blood components and the economic consequences for the blood centers. Aim: The aim of the present study is to present and assess the socio-economic nature of the impact of the pandemic on the activities of the RCTH Varna and on the basis of the obtained results to propose measures to overcome the crisis. Material and methods: For the period March-July 2020, an analysis was made of the data on the attendance of donors in the blood center, the blood and blood components provided to the medical establishments and the impact on the economic results of the COVID-19 center. Data were processed using SPSS, version 20.0, using comparative and correlation analyzes. Results: There was a significant decline in blood donation by 22.7% over the period compared to the same period in 2019, as well as a decline in demand for blood and blood components due to the suspension of planned surgical interventions in hospitals. All this leads to significant damage, most of which are organizational, technological and financial in nature for the blood center. Conclusion: The transition to the usual mode of operation will most likely depend on the severity and duration of the pandemic and the timely and adequate adaptation of the structures of RCTH Varna to the new reality and the organizational and qualification competencies of the employees.