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Group ‘O’ red cell shortage – amber alert

July 29, 2024

NHS Blood and Transplant and the National Blood Transfusion Committee have issued a red cell shortage alert notice.

Stock levels are expected to drop below the two-day threshold, reducing blood stocks in the laboratory.

The Trust has been asked to implement emergency blood management arrangements for red cells at the amber shortage level immediately.

We ask clinical teams to take the following actions:

  • For all patients, optimise anaemia without transfusion as much as possible
  • Where possible, use alternatives to blood (e.g. erythropoietin, iron ) and agents to reduce blood loss
  • Transfusion decisions to be made by a consultant only
  • Transfusion thresholds are to be reviewed in line with local guidelines and/or national guidelines
  • Clinical teams should consider postponing elective surgery, which is likely to require blood support.
  • The transfusion laboratory will challenge blood use.
  • Review period: The alert will be removed once NHSBT is confident that stocks have reached a sustainable level, but it is anticipated that this will continue for a minimum of four weeks.
  • Further communication will be sent if there is any change in alert status.