Coronavirus Causing Looming Blood Shortages

The video discusses the challenges faced by hospitals in maintaining blood supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the impact of canceled blood drives and reduced donations, leading to national shortages. Hospitals are postponing elective surgeries, but critical patients still need transfusions. Measures like temperature screening and sanitizing at donation sites aim to reassure donors. Authorities urge healthy individuals to donate to maintain a robust blood supply.

What is one of the main reasons for the current blood supply shortage in hospitals?

• People staying home and canceled blood drives

• Overstocking of blood in hospitals

• Increased number of elective surgeries

• Excessive blood donations

Why have some hospitals started postponing elective surgeries?

• Due to a lack of medical staff

• To conserve blood for critical patients

• Because of an increase in trauma cases

• To focus on coronavirus patients

Which patients are unable to postpone their need for blood transfusions?

• Elective surgery patients

• Trauma, cancer, and sickle cell patients

• Patients with minor injuries

• Patients with common colds

What safety measure has been implemented by blood banks to encourage donations?

• Reducing the number of donation sites

• Offering financial incentives

• Shortening the donation process

• Temperature pre-screening of donors

What do health authorities recommend healthy individuals do to help maintain the blood supply?

• Avoid donating blood during the pandemic

• Schedule an appointment to donate blood

• Donate only if they have a rare blood type

• Wait until the pandemic is over to donate