Six-Year Slowing Noted in Previously Growing Rate of US Blood Collections, Transfusions

Abstract

A SLOWING of the previously growing rate of blood collections and transfusions has occurred since 1982, according to a new national survey. This reverses a 30-year trend. In the 10 years from 1971 to 1980 alone, transfusions of blood and blood components doubled. But Douglas M. Surgenor, MD, Center for Blood Research, Boston, Mass, says there is every indication that the present slowdown will continue. <h3>No Serious Shortages So Far</h3> "In all of the sectors we measured, growth has slowed precipitously," Surgenor said at a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (Bethesda, Md) committee meeting. Despite these changes, Surgenor pointed out that the nation's blood banking system is functioning well and serious shortages of blood nationally so far have been avoided. The survey used data obtained from the three large national organizations that collect blood. These are the American National Red Cross, the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), and