Managing the Blood Supply in Times of Shortage
Program Code: 410-TC
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
8:30 AM to 10:00 AM (ET)

MODERATOR
Richard Davey, MD, Food and Drug Administration

SPEAKERS
Christopher Baldwin, PhD, New York Blood Center
S. Gerald Sandler, MD, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
Ross Herron, MD, American Red Cross Southern CA Blood Services

DESCRIPTION
Periodic blood shortages are frequent in many areas of the United States as well as during holiday and summer periods. Blood centers have a natural tendency to protect the community supply during these shortages. Hospitals have a responsibility to provide for the transfusion needs of individual patients. Often these two imperatives create communication and trust issues that complicate sound inventory management. This session will provide a forum for exploring the blood center and hospital perspectives on managing shortages. Models for inventory management and blood triage will be presented. Methods to enhance communication and trust between hospitals and the blood center will be developed.