A blood center that services Georgia hospitals has advised them to postpone elective surgery for a few days due to a significant shortage of blood supply.
Blood Assurance is a nonprofit regional blood facility that covers counties in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
They recommend that the hospitals they serve, postpone elective surgery until at least Wednesday, January 24, so that they can rebuild their inventory.
According to Blood Assurance, the scarcity is the result of a major decline in blood donations caused by the recent cold weather, as well as an increase in emergency needs due to many massive blood transfusions in the last 24 hours.
As of Thursday afternoon, Blood Assurance reported having less than a half-day supply of most blood types on their shelves.
Many donation facilities, which are generally closed on weekends, were open this weekend to accept more donations.
“It’s important to note that this is the community’s blood supply,” said Dr. Liz Culler, President and CEO of Blood Assurance. “Blood Assurance is the custodian of blood units. It is up to the public to ensure that we have an appropriate supply for hospitals treating people with catastrophic injuries and debilitating illnesses. “We need you now more than ever.”