Shortage hampers UCLA Med

Monday, October 5, 1998

Shortage hampers UCLA Med

BLOOD: University lacks adequate supplies but still better off
than most

By Kathryn Combs

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

While Southern California is in the midst of a blood shortage,
officials say the UCLA hospital is better off than most.

According to Kevin Clark, coordinator for blood and donor
resources, the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center has made this
difference.

"The blood that we draw here on campus stays here on campus and
goes directly to our patients," Clark said.

Only half of the blood supply needed by the UCLA Medical Center
and Hospital is provided by its on-site donation center, however.
The other half is supplied by the American Red Cross.

As of last Friday, the Southern California Region of the
American Red Cross was still low on type "O" positive and "O"
negative blood.

Specifically, O positive supplies were at 5 percent of the
desired inventory while O negative was at 8 percent.

Not only is type O blood known as a universal type, meaning that
all other blood types are compatible with it, but it is also the
most rare. Type O blood is most often used in emergency
situations.

According to Marc Jackson, spokesperson for the American Red
Cross Blood Services, Southern California Region, the shortage in
Southern California is causing the Red Cross to release blood only
on an emergency basis.

"This is unusual," Jackson said. "Usually it’s around the
holidays that we get a shortage. It’s just a fluke."

"What we are learning is that people are on short supply all
over the place," he added.

In addition, Jackson added that the American Red Cross is
increasing its tele-recruiting efforts.

Dr. Doug Blackall, Associate Medical Director of the UCLA Blood
Bank, says that this blood shortage has not hindered UCLA from
supporting its normal medical operations.

"It hasn’t affected our ability to support the clinics that are
the primary users of our services," he said.

"We have a donor center and we can increase the number of donors
that we have."

Blackall said that UCLA has not cancelled any surgeries as a
result of this shortage, adding that this shortage may be more
critical to hospitals dependent on the American Red Cross as their
only source of blood.

"It’s not a good position to be in, and it is important that we
not only have an adequate blood supply but that we have an
emergency blood supply where we can meet all our needs."

"If there are problems, we are going to get more patients. We
don’t want a minimal inventory."

He also noted, however, that the number of donors goes down
during the summer months.

"During the summer it can be difficult because people who are
regular donors go on vacation. Also, they may be less inclined (to
donate) because they’re busy with other personal issues," Blackall
said.

"People are just not as aware of the continuing blood product
needs throughout the year," he added.

Clark also cited the lack of awareness as a possible
explanation.

"We do have a blood shortage," he said. "But the reason is lack
of community response. We have a participatory problem."

According to Clark, if UCLA students and staff donated blood
there would be no shortage.

"If everybody on campus donated blood, we could export blood and
there wouldn’t be a blood shortage."

"We can solve the rest of the world’s problems as soon as we
take care of home base," he added.

The next blood drive is scheduled for Nov. 9 through Nov. 12 and
is being sponsored by the Student Welfare Commission.

For further information on donating blood, call the UCLA Blood
and Platelet Center at (310) 825-0888.

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© 1998 ASUCLA Communications Board