The laboratory team at Portneuf Medical Center (PMC) recently completed a two-gallon blood donation challenge. Nine staff members contributed 2.25 gallons to the challenge that took place during the 100 deadliest days, which is the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, in which the number of accident-related traumas increases significantly.
“Labor Day marks the end of the 100 deadliest days of summer, but it by no means represents the end of trauma season and the need for blood,” said Drew McRoberts, MD, general and trauma surgeon at PMC. “Many of the trauma patients we see throughout the year require blood – and sometimes they require a lot of blood in order to be resuscitated.”
Donated blood products are an essential part of delivering care to patients in several departments at PMC, including the Portneuf Cancer Center, neonatal intensive care unit, critical heart surgeries, and trauma patients in the emergency department. With an uptick in trauma cases requiring donated blood during the 100 deadliest days, the laboratory team jumped into action.
“Blood is needed every single day here at Portneuf,” said Kristen Vickers, MLS, Lab Quality, Education and Outreach Coordinator at PMC. “Our team understands that need and made a commitment to participate in a blood donation challenge to make a difference for our patients and set an example for the community.”
The lab team members who participated in the donation were a combination of first timers and regular, long-term donors. Three employees completed the Power Red Donation offered through the American Red Cross. A Power Red Donation is similar to a whole blood donation, but it utilizes a special machine allowing an individual to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning their plasma and platelets to the donor.
According to the American Red Cross, there is currently a blood shortage after its national blood inventory dropped 25% in July, and the need for blood products in hospitals remains high.
PMC’s laboratory encourages community members to schedule an appointment to donate blood. Appointments can be made through the American Red Cross website at redcrossblood.org.