Type O negative blood supply hits critical low nationally

DANVILLE, Pa. – Blood donors are needed across the country as the national supply of type O negative red blood cells has hit a critical low. 

Geisinger officials said although the type O negative shortage has hit a critical level, there is no immediate impact on patient care amongst the health system. But if donations do not begin to increase, future elective surgeries could be pushed back to ensure blood supply for emergency situations.

“A critical level blood shortage simply means there is a future concern for blood supply if the downward trend continues in coming months,” said Dr. Amanda Haynes, medical director of transfusion medicine for Geisinger Medical Laboratories. “As a health system that takes care of our area’s most-urgent and life-threatening cases, it’s important that we monitor our blood supply moving forward.” 

Blood supply both locally and nationally typically takes a dip during the summer months as schools are out of session and families take vacations. Dr. Haynes noted that high school students and staff are usually the biggest donor population.

“When you donate blood you are possibly helping a neighbor, friend or family member. We urge everyone that is eligible to consider participating in an upcoming blood drive,” Dr. Haynes said.

To help, consider donating at a following Geisinger blood drive:

Geisinger Medical Center, Danville:

• Tuesday, June 27
• Friday, June 30
• Monday, July 3
• Tuesday, July 11
• Tuesday, July 18 

Geisinger Woodbine, Danville:

• Thursday, July 6
  
  

Geisinger Susquehanna, Selinsgrove:

• Wednesday, July 5
  
  

Geisinger Community Medical Center, Scranton:

• Monday, June 26
• Thursday, July 27
  
  

Geisinger Wyoming Valley, Wilkes-Barre:

• Wednesday, July 5
  
  

Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes-Barre

• Friday, July 7
  
  

Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, Lewistown:

• Monday, June 26

About Geisinger
Geisinger is an integrated health services organization widely recognized for its innovative use of the electronic health record and the development of innovative care delivery models such as ProvenHealth Navigator®, ProvenCare® and ProvenExperience®. As one of the nation’s largest health service organizations, Geisinger serves more than 3 million residents throughout 45 counties in central, south-central and northeast Pennsylvania, and also in southern New Jersey at AtlantiCare, a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient. In 2017, the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine became the newest member of the Geisinger Family. The physician-led system is comprised of approximately 30,000 employees, including nearly 1,600 employed physicians, 12 hospital campuses, two research centers, and a 551,000-member health plan, all of which leverage an estimated $10.5 billion positive impact on the Pennsylvania and New Jersey economies. Geisinger has repeatedly garnered national accolades for integration, quality and service. In addition to fulfilling its patient care mission, Geisinger has a long-standing commitment to medical education, research and community service. For more information, visit www.geisinger.org, or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

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