International Society of Blood Transfusion survey of experiences of blood banks and transfusion services during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background and Objectives:The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemichas impacted blood systems worldwide. Challenges included maintaining blood sup-plies and initiating the collection and use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP).Sharing information on the challenges can help improve blood collection andutilization.Materials and Methods:A survey questionnaire was distributed to InternationalSociety of Blood Transfusion members in 95 countries. We recorded respondents’demographic information, impacts on the blood supply, CCP collection and use,transfusion demands and operational challenges.Results:Eighty-two responses from 42 countries, including 24 low- and middle-income countries, were analysed. Participants worked in national (26.8%) andregional (26.8%) blood establishments and hospital-based (42.7%) institutions.CCP collection and transfusion were reported by 63% and 36.6% of respondents,respectively. Decreases in blood donations occurred in 70.6% of collecting facili-ties. Despite safety measures and recruitment strategies, donor fear and refusalof institutions to host blooddrives were major contributing factors. Almost half ofrespondents working at transfusion medicine services were from large hospitalswith over 10,000 red cell transfusions per year, and 76.8% of those hospitalsexperienced blood shortages. Practices varied in accepting donors for blood orCCP donations after a history of COVID-19 infection, CCP transfusion, or vaccination. Operational challenges included loss of staff, increased workloadsand delays in reagent supplies. Almost half of the institutions modified their disas-ter plans during the pandemic.Conclusion:The challenges faced by blood systems during the COVID-19 pandemichighlight the need for guidance, harmonization, and strengthening of the prepared-ness and the capacity of blood systems against future infectious threat