Jan 4, 2022 4 min read

Uniontown Hospital is no different from others throughout the country facing blood shortages.

Shortages are at historical levels and steps are being taken to

“We’ve been dealing with the blood shortage for some time,” said Josh Krysak, director of community and patient relations for Uniontown Hospital. 

Krysak explained that the hospital receives an allotment of blood from the American Red Cross, but the typical allotment has declined each week. 

“In some cases, we’re only able to fill a fraction of a hospital’s orders,” McConville said. “In some cases, we have less than a day’s supply of certain blood types

“We know that they face some shortages nationwide and that has impacted us locally as well,” Krysak said. “We’re taken the proper steps to ensure that we’re able to provide the services and care that our community depends on. Services have not been impacted to this point, but it’s something that we’re monitoring and keeping close track of.”

No surgeries have had to be delayed at the hospital as a result of the blood shortage and nothing has had to be postponed.

“With that said, it is concerning because it is less blood that we’re having come in, so it is something that we’re monitoring,” Krysak said.  

Cletus McConville, account manager II for Greater Alleghenies Red Cross, said COVID-19 does play a role in the blood shortage, but there is a lot more to it than just the pandemic.

“A lot of it is the result of coming out of COVID, the world sort of opening up again and hospitals doing procedures,” McConville explained. “Those procedures might need more blood or there might be more complications because the procedures were put off.” 

Blood only has a shelf life of 48 days. It was not being used for some time and blood not used had to be disposed.

“Once we started using it, it pretty much drained the stockpile and put us in an emergency need where we’ve been dealing with an emergency shortage ever since,” McConville said.   

“I think the blood shortage is industry wide,” McConville said. “Every blood banking entity is struggling to keep up with demand.”

An important step that the hospital is taken is knowing at all times how much blood is on hand.

“We’re going to keep moving forward with the strategy of watching those numbers and encouraging area to donate blood and give blood,” Krysak said. “We’re going to rally the troops to the cause with the blood drives coming up in the area. We want to let them know we’re here and we’re fine, but this is significant and we’re paying more attention than ever. If you have an opportunity to give blood, please do so.”

McConville added there are a number of blood drives scheduled. In fact, the American Red Cross increased the opportunities to donate blood.

“That isn’t a complete fix, because we’re limited by our staffing capacity,” McConville said. “We try to strategize with our sponsors and blood program leaders to maximize our participation at the blood drives that we do have.” 

However, the recent surge of the Omicron variant has caused people to have to quarantine, including Red Cross workers, even though as McConville said, all safety precautions are taken.

McConville did say in the areas for which he is responsible – Fayette Westmoreland and Armstrong counties – actually are meeting and exceeding monthly goals and individual blood drive goals.  

However, there has been a downward trend in people donating blood. More people going back to the office as opposed to working from home, results in less time for people to take the opportunity to donate blood.

All of that combined with staffing shortages and the utilization of more blood, results in less blood being available for hospitals.

Krysak also serves on the Chestnut Ridge Board of Directors for the American Red Cross. So, he is extremely aware of the need for blood donations.

“It’s absolutely critical from a Red Cross perspective that people recognize that now is the time to donate blood,” he said. “COVID has slowly taken its toll and our blood numbers are down. We need people to donate blood and make sure we have blood not be able to supply not only area hospitals but anybody who may need it.”