According to the Red Cross, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increased need for blood and platelet donations. They need the help of donors and blood drive hosts to help meet the need. In addition, ss hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for blood products will continue to grow.
The Red Cross follows the highest safety standards and infection control protocols so it is still absolutely safe to donate. There is no evidence that coronavirus can be transmitted by blood transfusion and the top priority of the Red Cross is the safety of donors, volunteers, employees and blood recipients.
At each blood drive or donation center, Red Cross employees follow thorough safety protocols, including:
- Employees wear gloves and change them often.
- Donor-touched areas are wiped down after every collection.
- Sterile collection sets are used for every donation.
- Employees prepare donors’ arms for donation with aseptic scrub.
- Mini-physicals are conducted to ensure donors are healthy and well on the day of donation.
- The Red Cross only collects blood from individuals who are healthy and feeling well at the time of donation – and who meet other eligibility requirements
- For the safety of the donor community and in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, all donors are required to wear a face-covering or mask. Please bring a face covering or mask to your donation appointment. If you do not have one, a mask will be provided for you.
The Red Cross has also increased vigilance concerning some of these safety protocols:
- Disinfection of surfaces and equipment has been enhanced.
- Hand sanitizer is provided for use before entering and throughout the donation appointment.
- Temperature checks are conducted before presenting donors enter the blood drive or donation center.
- Social distancing practices are followed between donors including donor beds, as well as waiting and refreshment areas.
- During this time, blankets typically used by platelet, Power Red and AB Elite donors at Red Cross blood donation centers will be laundered after each use, which may limit the availability. Donors are encouraged to bring their own blankets. Electric blankets and heating pads are not allowed.
- Staff wears basic face masks.
- To ensure the staff is healthy each day, standard staff health assessments have been implemented prior to all blood drives.
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About: Since our founding by Clara Barton on May 21, 1881, the American Red Cross has been dedicated to serving people in need. We received our first congressional charter in 1900 and to this day we are tasked by the federal government with providing services to members of the American armed forces and their families as well as providing disaster relief in the United States and around the world.