Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the collection and use of blood and blood components in Taiwan
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted the supply and transfusion of blood components. This study aims to evaluate changes in blood collection and transfusions during the period following the nationwide Level 3 alert (May–July 2021). Methods: We retri...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of the Formosan Medical Association |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0929664624001785 |
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| author | Ling-I Hsu Jen-Wei Chen Sheng-Tang Wei Sheng-Mou Hou |
| author_facet | Ling-I Hsu Jen-Wei Chen Sheng-Tang Wei Sheng-Mou Hou |
| author_sort | Ling-I Hsu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted the supply and transfusion of blood components. This study aims to evaluate changes in blood collection and transfusions during the period following the nationwide Level 3 alert (May–July 2021). Methods: We retrieved usage data for red blood cells (RBC) from the Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) database 2019–2021. Results: During the Level 3 alert period, approximately 85% of COVID-19 cases (11,455/13,624) were in Taipei. In Taipei, blood collection declined by 26.34% and RBC transfusions decreased by 17.14% compared to pre-pandemic levels. RBC usage decreased across all service types, with a significant decrease observed in hematology/oncology by 15.62% (-483 patients, -2,425 units). In non-Taipei regions, blood collection declined by 12.54%, rebounding around one month earlier than in Taipei. The decline in RBC transfusions occurred one month later than in Taipei, with a much lower magnitude (4.57%). Strain on the blood supply occurred in May and June in both Taipei and non-Taipei regions. Among 7,532 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, approximately 6.9% patients required a total of 1,873 RBC transfusions. The rapid increase in COVID-19 inpatients did not significantly increase the burden of blood demands. Conclusion: During the Level 3 alert, the most significant decline in both RBC collection and transfusions was observed in Taipei. In non-Taipei regions, the decrease in RBC use was only marginal. Notably, there was a significant decrease in RBC use in hematology/oncology in Taipei. This study supports transfusion specialists in seeking efficient ways to address similar future challenges. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-289d2efccfd2459295221ae0aeb7aa5c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0929-6646 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of the Formosan Medical Association |
| spelling | doaj-art-289d2efccfd2459295221ae0aeb7aa5c2025-02-02T05:26:45ZengElsevierJournal of the Formosan Medical Association0929-66462025-02-011242151156Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the collection and use of blood and blood components in TaiwanLing-I Hsu0Jen-Wei Chen1Sheng-Tang Wei2Sheng-Mou Hou3Taiwan Blood Services Foundation, Taiwan ROCTaiwan Blood Services Foundation, Taiwan ROCTaiwan Blood Services Foundation, Taiwan ROCTaiwan Blood Services Foundation, Taiwan ROC; Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taiwan ROC; Corresponding author. 3F, No.3, Nanhai Rd, Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei, Taiwan ROC.Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted the supply and transfusion of blood components. This study aims to evaluate changes in blood collection and transfusions during the period following the nationwide Level 3 alert (May–July 2021). Methods: We retrieved usage data for red blood cells (RBC) from the Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) database 2019–2021. Results: During the Level 3 alert period, approximately 85% of COVID-19 cases (11,455/13,624) were in Taipei. In Taipei, blood collection declined by 26.34% and RBC transfusions decreased by 17.14% compared to pre-pandemic levels. RBC usage decreased across all service types, with a significant decrease observed in hematology/oncology by 15.62% (-483 patients, -2,425 units). In non-Taipei regions, blood collection declined by 12.54%, rebounding around one month earlier than in Taipei. The decline in RBC transfusions occurred one month later than in Taipei, with a much lower magnitude (4.57%). Strain on the blood supply occurred in May and June in both Taipei and non-Taipei regions. Among 7,532 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, approximately 6.9% patients required a total of 1,873 RBC transfusions. The rapid increase in COVID-19 inpatients did not significantly increase the burden of blood demands. Conclusion: During the Level 3 alert, the most significant decline in both RBC collection and transfusions was observed in Taipei. In non-Taipei regions, the decrease in RBC use was only marginal. Notably, there was a significant decrease in RBC use in hematology/oncology in Taipei. This study supports transfusion specialists in seeking efficient ways to address similar future challenges.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0929664624001785Coronavirus disease-2019Level 3 alertNational health insurance databaseRed blood cells |
| spellingShingle | Ling-I Hsu Jen-Wei Chen Sheng-Tang Wei Sheng-Mou Hou Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the collection and use of blood and blood components in Taiwan Journal of the Formosan Medical Association Coronavirus disease-2019 Level 3 alert National health insurance database Red blood cells |
| title | Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the collection and use of blood and blood components in Taiwan |
| title_full | Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the collection and use of blood and blood components in Taiwan |
| title_fullStr | Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the collection and use of blood and blood components in Taiwan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the collection and use of blood and blood components in Taiwan |
| title_short | Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the collection and use of blood and blood components in Taiwan |
| title_sort | impacts of covid 19 pandemic on the collection and use of blood and blood components in taiwan |
| topic | Coronavirus disease-2019 Level 3 alert National health insurance database Red blood cells |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0929664624001785 |
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